Historical Society invites public to jump on Kopecky bandwagon

Saturday, Oct. 1, will be a day of wonderful activities in Clear Lake and one of those will be the dedication of two new waysides honoring long-time Clear Lake Community Schools instrumental music instructor and municipal band director John Kopecky.

Many people have fond memories of relaxing in City Park or along the shores of the lake listening to music provided by one of the municipal bands that served our community over the years.  A lovely rotunda-shaped gazebo was constructed in City Park in 1877 and concerts were held there three times a week in the summer months.  This early gazebo served the community until 1919 when a newer square bandstand/picnic shelter was constructed and still stands today.  Not only would summer municipal band concerts be held from this location, but families could also use it for picnics and family gatherings.  In 1951, the band shell that is familiar to Clear Lakers today, was constructed to allow larger bands to perform and to provide additional space for other forms of entertainment in the park.

Kopecky, former music teacher and band director at Clear Lake High School and also the director of the Clear Lake Municipal Band for 28 years, shared in his memoirs that by 1904, professional musicians were coming to Clear Lake to play summer concerts.   He was a part of one of these early bands.

The summer bands played 14 concerts a week, as well as provided music for up to three dances— and all for a paycheck of $15 per band member.

The first summer seasons, the bands were also made up of students from both Clear Lake and Mason City High Schools.  The bands held successful concerts with peak years occurring between 1932 and 1937.  During this time local musicians joined the ranks of the high school students and the number of band members grew.

Clear Lake was in love with its music.  This led Kopecky to go after his dream of starting the North Iowa Band Festival in 1932.  Clear Lake hosted this event for five years and the festival continues today, hosted by Mason City.  Kopecky also organized, directed and nurtured a Clear Lake Drum and Bugle Corps— the youngest such group in the nation.  In 1951, Kopecky retired from teaching and directing the Clear Lake Municipal Band, however,

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he remained active in the promotion and performance of music.  He passed away in January 1986 at the age of 100.

In 2015, the Clear Lake Historical Society decided that John Kopecky should be honored, and fittingly a tribute to Clear Lake’s music man has been placed at the 1919 band stand in City Park.

Two memorial waysides have been erected on the west side of the bandstand and they will be dedicated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.  Members of John Kopecky’s family will be in attendance, along with the Clear Lake High School band and members of the Clear Lake Historical Society with a brief program.

Donations will still be accepted from those who would like to contribute to the wayside fund.

Check out Harvest Festival in Clear Lake on Saturday and jump on the bandwagon in City Park to honor Mr. John Kopecky.

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