2009 Construction Update!!!

The show will go on! The MMB will have a secured storage area in time for the 2009 season. All percussion and equipment will be stored adjacent to the Larry Norvell Band Shell. Please check out the Schedule of events as we prepare for another great season of music making in the park!

Bill Warner (1938-2008)

William R. "Bill" Warner, 69, of Manhattan, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. He was born Sept. 3, 1938, in Larned, the son of Rodney O. and Agnes M. (Kirkpatrick) Warner. Bill earned his bachelor's from Kansas State University in 1960, and then his master's from Emporia State Teacher's College in 1964. Bill was a science teacher in Junction City for two years prior to moving to Manhattan, where he taught science for 32 years, in the Junior High/Middle Schools. He was awarded the Kansas Master Teacher Award in 1979. On Jan. 30, 1960, in Larned, he was married to Barbara M. Birzer. This union was blessed with three children: Debbi, Mark and David. Barbara preceded him in death on Aug. 17, 2007. Bill was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, KNEA, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Manhattan Municipal Band, where he played percussion for 47 years. He enjoyed lapidary, fishing, geology, model ships and Kansas State sports. He served as an usher for many years at Kansas State sporting events. His love of music was best expressed through playing with various bands and giving drum lessons to many local youth. Survivors include three children: Debbi DeVenuto of St. George, Mark A. Warner and his wife Laura of Manhattan, and David P. Warner of Prairie Village; two sisters, Barbara Vratil of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Janet Miller of Portland, Ore.; two granddaughters, Christa M. and Grace E. Warner; and many other family and friends.

Larry Norvell (1920 - 2006)

from the Manhattan Mercury, Friday, June 30, 2006

Larry Norvell didn't create the music program at Manhattan High School or the Manhattan Municipal Band program. But over his long tenures as director, he infused both with statewide distinction. The most prominent figure in music here for the past half century, Mr. Norvell died at Mercy Regional Health Center Thursday. He was 86.

His death comes just a few days before the Municipal Band takes the stage for another of the July 4 concerts that became his trademark. Anyone who attended the Independence Day concerts at the City Park band shell over Lawrence Norvell's 45-year term as band director — and thousands did — felt the passion he brought to the occasions reverberate throughout City Park.

So widely recognized was his role in the community's musical culture that when the city dedicated its new band shell in 2004, there was little consideration given to naming it after anybody except Larry Norvell.

Born Jan. 13, 1920, in West Medford, Mass., Mr. Norvell came to Manhattan in 1949, accepting an appointment as the new music teacher at Manhattan High. He didn't have much to work with.

''I told my wife (after the interview) I was afraid they were going to hire me,'' he said in a 1985 interview. A teacher at tiny Moran High School at the time, he actually left a larger band than the 55-person aggregation he inherited at MHS. ''The program was at rock bottom,'' he said.

From that core of 55, Norvell built the MHS band up to something more befitting one of the state's larger schools. ''He had a wonderful interaction with the students,'' observed John Boyd, an MHS alum who rose to become a college director of bands. ''He cared for everyone.'' Mr. Norvell retired at age 65 in 1985, his students having won uncounted awards and recognitions.

Even then, though, he continued to pursue his second musical career, as director of the municipal band. He had come to that position essentially as a direct outgrowth of his status at MHS, recruiting musicians over the years from the ranks of his former students for the series of summer concerts.

His philosophy was simple, ''play for the people,'' and that's what he did. Norvell-led concerts were heavy on popular favorites, show tunes and patriotic fare. That was at no time more true than in the July 4 concerts, which at mid-season often drew the largest crowds. Hundreds would haul lawn chairs to surround the outdated enclosure in City Park and listen to renditions of ''Stars and Stripes Forever,'' ''The Battle Hymn of the Republic,'' and other staples of the Norvell program.

Frank Tracz, the current municipal band director, said the program for Tuesday's 6:30 p.m. concert would be modified as sort of a tribute to the long-time director. Among Norvell favorites that will be adedd: "The Navy Hymn," "America the Beautiful" and "The Larry Norvell March," a tribute written by pupil Steve Easterday. The concert will be at CiCo Park as part of the city's holiday observance.

When he retired as municipal band director in 1994 — after 45 years — even Norvell had to marvel at the gains he had overseen. ''It's become such a tremendously professional group,'' he said at the time. Even though he left as director, he kept a promise to return periodically as a guest conductor.

Mr. Norvell received his degree in education from Emporia State Teachers College in 1942, then joined the Navy and became a sonar officer in the South Pacific during World War II. He received the Silver Star and five Bronze stars. He was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in 1997.