Gert Bosch, Katy Essenburg, Grace Essenburg, John Weenum, John Wesseldyk, Ernest Kraai, Janet Lamer, Sadie Koop, Dena Wesseldyk
Second Row:
Bert Brandt director, Gerald Bosch, Jason Kraai, Herbert Schout, Herman Bussis, Jake Steigenga, John Huyser, Albert Diepenhorst, Rev. Andrew De Vries
Third Row:
Henry Koop, Gerrit Bussis, Peter Lamer, Bill Vander Kooi, John Kraai, Neil Huyser, Gene De Glopper
Back Row:
Harry Brandsen, Martin Essenburg, Albert Blauwkamp, Joe Wesseldyk, Neil Ammeral, Ben Altena
These names were compiled by Delia Essenburg and Katie (Essenburg) De Roo 1991.
Submitted by Robert Essenburg.
It must have been some task to teach these groups of people to play a musical instrument and play music together. Many of these folks had little or no knowledge of music when they showed up for band practice.
Bert Brandt was a fun loving individual who made the practice sessions enjoyable and was well respected by the group. His goal of participation in a band was to allow them to acquire an appreciation for good music that would be valuable throughout their lives. He enjoyed the camaraderie and community spirit the bands created.
In 1929, after he had graduated from college, he became the first band director of the Hudsonville Public Schools. He held this position from 1929 until 1956 with many honors for his band's performances over these years.
Bert continued directing the Borculo Church Band until it disbanded in 1936. Later he helped begin and direct the first band at Hudsonville Christian School in 1944.
It probably took a few years before the band was ready to give community concerts. Pictured are copies of concert programs that the band gave in 1930, 1931, and 1932.
My father had three sisters who played in the band. He also had a brother-in-law and a nephew who were band members.
The Borculo Band was instrumental in creating unity, community spirit, and hope during a time when the country was heading into its greatest depression.
/s/ Bob Essenburg