bandstand

A bandstand built in 1912 stands in the grounds of the Horniman Museum in London

Bandstand at Sefton Park, Liverpool, England

Victorian bandstand in Eastleigh, UK

Ocean Park bandstand, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

A bandstand is a circular or semicircular structure set in a park, garden, pier, or indoor space, designed to accommodate musical bands performing concerts. A simple construction, it both creates an ornamental focal point and also serves acoustic requirements while providing shelter for the changeable weather, if outdoors.

Many bandstands in the United Kingdom originated in the Victorian era as the British brass band movement gained popularity. Smaller bandstands are often not much more than gazebos. Much larger bandstands such as that at the Hollywood Bowl may be called bandshells and usually take a shape similar to a quarter sphere.

Notable bandstands

In England

In 1993 the Deal Memorial Bandstand was opened as memorial to the eleven bandsmen killed by 1989 Deal barracks bombing.^[1] The bandstand was erected by public subscription and is maintained by volunteers.

Eastbourne bandstand opened in 1935

A good example of a semi-circular bandstand is the Eastbourne Bandstand, built in 1935 to replace a circular bandstand that stood on cast iron stilts.^[2] Herne Bay, Kent contains a totally enclosed bandstand with a stage and cafe area, topped with copper-clad domes.^[3]

There is a very old bandstand at Horsham's Carfax, built in 1892 by Walter Macfarlane & Co at the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, and another one in its adjacent park. It was moved slightly from its original location, to better accommodate pedestrians and then refurbished in 1978 with funds raised by the Horsham Society and with council funding. In 1992, the original design was rediscovered in museum archives and it was then restored to its original colour scheme.^[4]

In Scotland

Scotland's many ironwork foundries and manufacturers have built bandstands throughout the United Kingdom.^[5][6]

Langholm Town Bandstand built in 2008 in the Scottish Borders

One of the most recent bandstands erected in the UK was the Langholm Town Bandstand. A very contemporary, modern design.

Some of the many other notable bandstands in Scotland itself include those located at:

• Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse
• Bellfield Park in Inverness
• Bothwell Road Public Park in Hamilton
• Brechin Park in Brechin, Burngreen Peace Park in Kilsyth
• Collison Park in Dalbeattie
• Clyde Retail Park in Clydebank
• Dock Park in Dumfries
• Duthie Park in Aberdeen
• George Allan Park in Strathaven
• Glebe Park in Falkirk
• Haugh Park in Cupar, Houston Square in Johnstone
• High Street in Falkirk
• Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow
• Lewisvale Park in Musselburgh
• Macrosty Park in Crieff
• Magdalene Park in Dundee, Overtoun Park in Rutherglen
• Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh
• St Margaret's Drive Park in Dunfermline
• Stair Park in Stranraer
• The Links (park) in Nairn
• The Meadows in Edinburgh
• The Scores in St Andrews, Fife

In arts, entertainment, and literature

The function of the bandstand inspired the names of:

• the American television show American Bandstand (1952–1989) and
• the Australian television show Bandstand (Australia) (1958–72).

See also

• Belvedere
• Dance pavilion
• Kiosk
• Pavilion (structure)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bandstands

• Vintage Bandstand photographs