Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
L62-1
Date(s)
- 1936-12 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The members of Tacoma's "Mickey Mouse Band" were photographed in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop in December of 1936. The band, in reality a youth orchestra, was made up of young musicians aged 10 - 17 years old. The Mickey Mouse Band was originally sponsored by the John Hamrick Theatres. It was organized in 1932 by Bill Conner, Assistant Hamrick Manager, who also directed. In 1935, Louis Wersen took over as director, assisted by Doug Tilton and Frank Anarde. They developed the group into a fine young orchestra. The Tacoma Times took over sponsorship in January of 1938. On January 18 the newspaper declared that the organizations name would be changed because Mickey Mouse was deemed "not appropriate for the organization as it exists today." (T. Times 1/6/1938, pg. 1)
Mickey Mouse Band (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers;