MSU Historic Marker - Band Shell (location south of Bessey Hall north of the sidewalk along the Red Cedar River)
The text of the plaque is:
“Band Shell
With its bold, semicircular arch, the large concrete Band Shell once existed just south of this marker. West of Bessey Hall and north of the Red Cedar River is a large rock with a bronze plaque that commemorates where the Band Shell stood prior to the groundbreaking for Bessey Hall (1961).
The plaque reads: “A Band Shell erected here was a gift of the Class of 1937. For 22 years, this structure was a center of cultural activities for thousands of students in whose memories it will live forever. This marker commemorates part of our history.” The Band Shell was a favorite site for concerts, pep rallies, and commencements.
Designer O.J. Munson’s concentric arches formed a rhythmic, streamlined Art Deco half-dome. Light illuminated each interior arch at night. The outermost arch curved upward at its ends to serve as a backdrop for two cast-concrete Cubist sculptures, one of which stands today outside the Music Building. This sculpture is the “Three Musicians” by Samuel Cashwan (American, 1899-1988), ca. 1940.”
The marker includes a photo of the Band Shell with a concert on stage and people on the lawn watching the concert. The caption on the photo is “Photo courtesy of University Archives & Historical Collections.”
The text of the marker and photograph are the same on both sides.
The band shell was dedicated on May 11, 1938. It was razed in late summer 1960 to make way for Bessey Hall. At the time of demolition, there were plans to build another band shell across from the auditorium on the south side of the Red Cedar River. Spectators were to sit on the north side of the river and watch the performances from across the river.
Sources: MAC Record July 1938, https://projects.kora.matrix.msu.edu/files/162-565-713/19380701sm.pdf Lansing State Journal, September 10, 1960