Last of its kind, Minnesota State Band seeks $50,000 in funding

When Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) was in her first term, she was outraged that money was appropriated for the Minnesota State Band because “it was not a serious thing for state government to be involved in.” But Kahn, now in her 22nd term, has since changed her tune.

She is the sponsor of HF19, a bill that would appropriate $50,000 to the band during the 2016-17 biennium from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. This money, as Kahn explained to the House Legacy Funding Finance Committee during an informational hearing Monday, would allow the band to give more performances across the state, help preserve the group’s history and cover other expenses.

Rep. Phyllis Kahn

“I think the idea of having a Minnesota state band, even if we’re the only one in the country, is a really good idea,” Kahn said.

The Minnesota State Band was formed in 1898, when bands existed across the Midwest and in New York, Connecticut and Montana. Those groups are now gone, however, and Minnesota has the only state band in the nation. The group has traveled the world on six European concert tours since 1986 and continues to play the annual Como Park Concert series in St. Paul each August.

But Kahn said there hasn’t been any state funding for the band since Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a $300 line item several years ago. The band’s conductor, Chuck Boody, told the committee some of the band’s 48 musicians are now using instruments more than 40 years old because there isn’t any money to replace them.

“I submit that this is exactly the sort of funding the Legacy fund should support,” Boody said. “This might be one of the few nonpartisan issues you get to talk about this year. I hope.”

Rep. Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg) told Boody he agreed that Legacy funds could be used for the band and voiced his support for the legislation. However, Rep. Steve Green (R-Fosston) was noncommittal, calling the funding request “a pretty substantial increase.”

HF19 was laid over for possible omnibus bill inclusion. Its companion, SF446, is sponsored by Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Mpls) and awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.