Finding Aid for Arnold Lamont Chick Sousa Band Photographs and Papers, 1905-1929 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Rania Adamczyk

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Collection Overview

Title: Arnold Lamont Chick Sousa Band Photographs and Papers, 1905-1929

ID: 12/9/155

Primary Creator: Chick, Arnold (Anton) Lamont (1890-1956)

Extent: 0.25 cubic feet

Arrangement: Unarranged.

Date Acquired: 05/08/2017

Subjects: Band Musicians, Bands, Sousa, John Philip

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of a scrapbook, Sousa Band tour itineraries and a hotel list, newspaper clippings, and concert programs documenting Arnold Chick's 1919-1920 and 1925-1926 tours with the Sousa Band, and work with Thomas Morrill Carter who served as band leader of the Boston Commandery of the Knights Templar. In addition there is a short biographical sketch of Chick's life that was compiled by his family after his death. The scrapbook photos date from 1905 to 1926 and other items date as late as 1929.

Biographical Note

Arnold Lamont Chick (November 17, 1889-February 1956) served as a cornetist with the John Philip Sousa Band during its 1919-1920 tour and a portion of the band's 1925-1926 tour. He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Annie Parker Williams Chick, a professional musician, and William Mosher Chick, president of the Chick Brothers Shoe Manufacturing Company. His grandfather was a founding member of the Haverhill Cornet Band, late renamed the Haverhill City Band, which he served as director for twenty-five years. At the age of 15 or 16, Chick became a Mason, and he played in Masonic bands throughout his life. During World War I he served as the solo cornetist in the 104th U.S. Artillery Band in South Carolina and then the Regimental Bugle Instructor while stationed in France. Chick joined the Sousa Band after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in April of 1919. Between and after his extended performances with the Sousa Band, Chick worked as the director of the Watertown, Massachusett's high school band, the Chick Concert Band, and the Watertown American Legion Band.

Subject/Index Terms

Band Musicians
Bands
Sousa, John Philip

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Acquisition Source: James Downing

Acquisition Method: Gift

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: Arnold L. Chick Sousa Band Scrapbook, 1905-1926: Scrapbook containing Chick's photos of band members and tour stops, arranged by his wife and possibly daughter.
Folder 2: Arnold L. Chick Biography and Photograph, undated: Biography is written by descendent of Chick.
Folder 3: Sousa Band Tour Itineraries, 1919-1920
Folder 4: Sousa Band Tour Itineraries, 1925-1926
Folder 5: Sousa Band Hotel List, undated
Folder 6: Sousa Band Program and Program Insert, 1920-1929: Summer 1920 program insert lists band personnel and guest soloists. Program cover for the Seventeenth Monster Band Concert, for the benefit of the Boston Musicians Relief Fund Association, April 7, 1929.
Folder 7: Sousa Band Members and Concert Review Clippings, 1920-1928: Includes concert reviews from the 1919-1920 and 1925-1926 tours.
Folder 8: "The Crusader" Bulletin and Thomas Morrill Carter Newsclipping, 1925-1928: Bulletin "The Crusader" of the Boston Commandery of the Knights Templar for June 1, 1928, honoring Thomas Morrill Carter. Newspaper story about his golden wedding aniversary.