Sarge Boyd

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Donald I. "Sarge" Boyd (1901–87)
Robert, Joanne and David Boyd standing in front of the plaque commemorating their father's accomplishments
The Sarge Boyd Bandshell, built in 1938 to accommodate the Eau Claire Municipal Band, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Donald I. "Sarge" Boyd (1901 in Wendell, Minnesota – March 1, 1987 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin) was an American band director and teacher.

Early Career

A 1926 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Sarge arrived in Eau Claire as a band, orchestra and history teacher for the local high school in 1929. He had a profound impact on the band program, increasing participation from 14 students to 275 by the time he retired in 1963. During that time his bands received many awards and he became known throughout the state for his adept musical leadership.

In 1934, he replaced William Keller as director of the Eau Claire Municipal Band. A master showman whose polished performances featured the finest singers and instrumentalists in the area, and spectacular lighting effects that were an integral component of each concert, he caused the Thursday evening event to become a major summertime attraction with attendance often approaching 4,000.[citation needed] In 1992, 12 years after his retirement, the bandshell in Owen Park was named for him and in 2010 a memorial plaque was installed at Owen Park in recognition of his half century of musical contributions to the community.

  • Charter member of Phi Beta Mu
  • Recipient of Book of Golden Deeds Award from Eau Claire Exchange Club
  • Recipient of Carlo A. Sperati Award for Meritorious Achievement in the Field of Music from Luther College of Decorah, Iowa
  • Recipient of First Award of Harmony from the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA)

Personal life

On August 20, 1928, Sarge married Joan Sad (1905–1992). They had three children: Robert, David, and Joanne. David became a band director like his father.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ↑ Tom Lawin (June 27, 1969). "Municipal Band, Durable Local Institution". Eau Claire Leader-Daily Telegram.
  2. ↑ "Band". Memorialandnorthclassof63.org. Retrieved October 25, 2011. 
  3. ↑ Tim Stein. "Bandshell to be dedicated to `Sarge' Boyd". Leader-Telegram, August 6, 1992, p. 24.
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