the 1929 TABLE ROCK high school band
The band was organized in early 1929. Ninth months later, they won first prize in their class in a competition at the state fair. The prize came with $200, a lot of money in those days. It was about a month before the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
the 1929 band
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A few students have been identified. Lawrence Stehlik is the sousaphone player. Floreine Vrtiska is the fourth student to the left of the band leader. Fred Muscheites, second row
(not counting the older boy trombone player), 2nd from right (behind
and between two front row students holding what look like miniature baritone
horns) Bernice Barnard Musceites,
(girl), third row, fourth from right, not counting the older trombone player;
she is to the right of a trumpet player in the row behind her.
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The band was led by August Hagenow of Lincoln (right), cited for his genius in inciting the students' enthusiasm and bringing out their "natural" musical talent. Drum major William Vondrasek (middle) and Table Rock resident Harry Madden (far right, during World War I) were cited for their efforts at band practice.
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 Band leader August Hagenow
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When Table Rock played, a “mighty shout” when up. “This shout was induced partly from the splendiod appearance the band made, their fine new uniforms, their precision in marching – not a step out of time – every movement in perfect harmony.”
“The players showed no excitement, but their minds were concentrated on playing their instruments the best they knew how. 
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“There is a unanimity of praise to the members of the band for their industry in pracice, their loyalty to instruction, and the enthusiasm they put into their work, as well as their natural musical ability.”
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Do you know someone who was in the band? They are listed in the newspaper paper (not correlated with the picture) as follows: Dwight Bonham, Virginia Cotton, Bernice Barnard, Marjorie Horton, Evelyn Kalina, Evelyn Kalina, Bernice Johnson, Floreine Vrtiska, Frances Hruska, Elsie Hanna, Helen Wopata, Wanetta Oilmor, Josephine Hylton, Lorna Kalina, Lawrence Kalina, Hallena Horton, Frank Hruska, Charles Duder, Glenn Binder, Howard Binder, Harland Keiser, Arthur Irwin, Howard Bedea, Lavon Houke, Wayne Covault, Joel Wright, Leonard Mertes, Charles Norris, Marion Bonham, Junior Mascheites, Loriane Harlow, Loriane Hunzeker, Arnold Zelenka, Charles Hanna, Harold Hastings, Phillip Rabstenjek, John Wm. Tomek, Lester Krofta, Arlie Goodenkauf, Richard Covault, Howard Harris, James Hinda, Cyril Pardue, and Lawrence Stehlik. Happy hunting!
september 4, 1929 news article about the band's win
First, the full article. Then the article broken down in more readable pieces. Single click to open.
the band's competitors in its class
High school bands were a new thing in 1929 Nebraska. There were only four competitors in the class: Table Rock, Silver Creek (near Grand Island), Osmond (near Norfolk), and Hardy (near nowhere, it is due west of here several counties over). Silver Creek, established in 1866, has a current population of 362. Osmond, established in 1890, has a current population of 783. Hardy, established in 1880, has a current population of 159. Table Rock has a current population of about 265.
what else was going on in table rock in 1929?
The Table Rock Argus was in business.
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The Junior class for the Fall of 1929 had their picture taken (Photo 308)
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Identified on back as: Teacher Ruth Goodrich Tomek (Mrs. John Tomek), Alvah Aylor, Kenneth Bain, Albert Allguier, Dale Townsend, Roy Hanna; Jim Nedved, Loyd Jasa, John W. Tomek, Elza Morton, Cyril (Purdew?); (Paul?) McGinnis, (Earl?) McKnight, _____ Jones, Lorraine Hunzeker, Arnold Zelenka, David Johnson, and Arnold Phillips (If you can read names better, please check the writing on the back of the photo.)
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And the Class of 1929 had already graduated (Photo 413).
The Argus was running some interesting ads.