The Patrick Conway Military Band School,1922–1929

Patrick Conway (1865–1929) was one of America's foremost bandleaders. His professional band was as famous as John Philip Sousas band, playing throughout the country for state fairs, expositions, and concert series. Conway's band also recorded for the Victor and Edison labels and, during the late 1920s, was a regular attraction on the General Motors Family Hour radio show.

While the Conway Band enjoyed tremendous success during the 1910s and 1920s, other bands declined in popularity, possibly victims of competition from other forms of amusement like the automobile and phonograph. The incipient establishment of school bands created a great demand for trained band teachers and musicians, yet little formal education for band musicians existed. Realizing this state of affairs, Conway opened one of the first schools for the training of the band musician: the Conway Military Band School. This article traces the influences and environment that led Conway to establish this institution. Also included is a description of the school and its development during the seven years of its existence.