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Local 374 – Still Serving After 115 Years

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The Local 374 executive board recently posed for a photo with the original 1904 union charter from the American Federation of Musicians. The local received its charter on April 22, 1904. This photo was taken on May 2. Pictured from left: Trustee Tim Wildman, President George West, Trustee Deb Lincoln, Past President Priscilla Giles, Trustee Ed Raczka, Secretary-Treasurer Jock Irvine, and Vice President Tom Fisk.

Local 374 (Concord, NH) celebrated its 115th year of service at its monthly meeting on May 2, during which the executive board also showcased the original “Certificate of Affiliation” that was drawn up on April 22, 1904. 

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AFM Local 374 original charter

The certificate states in part, “The American Federation of Musicians doth grant this Certificate of Affiliation to (its members and officers) and to their successors legally qualified to constitute the Musicians Association herein named and known under the title of, Musicians Protective Union Local 374 AF of M of Concord, NH.”

“It is amazing to think that after 115 years we, the ‘successors legally qualified’ are still performing the duties of the union, in the spirit of our predecessors and serving the present-day members!” says Local 374 President George West.

Local 374 unofficial historian Deb Lincoln researched the names of the eight men who appear on the Certificate of Affiliation and found two of the signers pictured in a photograph of the Third Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band at their June Encampment in 1890. Those same two signers, as well as three others, are pictured in a photograph of the Second Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band at Hampton Beach in 1901.

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Third Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band at their June Encampment in 1890

The Third Regiment Band was reorganized on January 23, 1900 to conform with the Infantry Regiments of the US Army and the US drill regulations, and thus became the Second Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band. Arthur Nevers, famed New Hampshire cornetist, is also seen in both of those photos as the director of both bands. The current day Nevers’ Second Regiment Band of Concord, New Hampshire, derives its compound name from both the Second Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band and Arthur Nevers, who directed the band from 1884 to 1940.

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Second Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band, 1901

It is also worth noting that in 1905 the Second Regiment New Hampshire National Guard Band performed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at the signing of the Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty.

“We wonder if the signers of the AFM Certificate of Affiliation were still members of the Second Regiment Band and played for the Peace Treaty?” Lincoln says. “We think they’d be pleased that we have learned of their musical contributions and how they safeguarded area musicians by initiating Local 374.”