Editor’s Note:A scholarship fund in memory of Saint William’s Band of Dorchester and Dominic J. Bianculli has recently been established. This scholarship is open to all graduating high school seniors who live in Dorchester and will be entering college this fall. Eligible students are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information and scholarship criteria, please visit the fund’s website at stwilliamsbiancullifund.org 

Hundreds plan to gather together this September at Boston College High School to celebrate the glorious history of “The Best Band in the Land” and to honor the late Dominic “Dom” Bianculli. To be part of this historic event, please refer to information at the end of this article.

Former members and friends of Saint William’s CYO Championship Band of Dorchester will gather together at Boston College High School on Saturday, September 24, 2011, to rekindle old friendships and celebrate the band’s unparalleled success on the field of competition. All proceeds from this event will be used to establish the Saint William’s Band/Dominic J. Bianculli Scholarship Fund. From 1948 through 1973, during his tenure as the Band’s director, “Dom” was the heart and soul of the Band, the driving force, whose unyielding pursuit of excellence translated into championship after championship, year after year.

“Dom” was born in 1919, in the “Italian Section” of Worcester, MA. His family moved to South Boston when he was a small boy, and he spent most of his youth “hanging around with a bunch of Irish kids, because I was the only Italian.” He played sandlot football, took his Catholic faith very seriously and graduated from South Boston High School, having taken, in his own words, “the sheet metal course.” He then went on to serve his country honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II. Upon discharge, Dom settled in the Savin Hill section of Dorchester, where, in 1948, fate would introduce him to a catholic institution, “Saint William’s Band,” that would forever change his life. Although he didn’t know it at the time, his involvement would also impact the lives of countless young men and women from the Savin Hill neighborhood.

The Band was the “brainchild” of Sister Mary Theonilla, C.S.J. Eleven boys were brought together on November 19, 1930, and thus the Band was born. On March 15, 1931, the Band’s first appearance was at an Irish Night, sponsored by the parish. On June 11, 1932, the Band won its first contest as a Class “B” winner on the grounds of Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, and this was the beginning of what would eventually be transformed into a dynastic, championship marching and musical machine.

Sister Mary Magdalen took over the management of the Band in 1936, and for the next 18 years, gave her utmost “…time and energy to the Band.” By 1948, the band was faced with extinction. At this fateful moment, Father Lucid, the Band’s Spiritual Advisor, offered Dom the position of Band Director and asked him to reorganize the Band into a first-class marching unit. From a modest enrollment of 37 band members in 1949, the number of members would eventually grow to over one hundred by 1953. “With his energy and indomitable spirit,” Dom revitalized the Band, attracted new members and planted the seeds for a dynasty that would never be equaled.

In 1953, Saint William’s Band won its first CYO contest in 21 years, the Class B Archdiocesan Championship, and this was only the beginning. In 1954, Saint William’s was the first Band ever to lead the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in New York. During the same year, Saint William’s expanded, and now had a junior band, in addition to its senior Band.

In 1955, with 110 members, the Band re-captured (first won in 1953) the I.C.A.A. New England Championship held in Newburyport. In 1956, the Band won its first Class “A” CYO Archdiocesan Championship at Boston College In 1957, the CYO Music Circuit was formed, and for the second consecutive season, the Band was undefeated. The Band also realized another undefeated season and another CYO title in 1958.

In 1958, the original blue and gold uniforms were retired, and new white and black uniforms were introduced. Ultimately, the band would switch to its signature pink and black colors. In 1959, the Band captured its fourth consecutive title, winning 28 consecutive contests. On September 5, the Junior Band, now wearing the old blue and gold uniforms, captured the Class “C” Archdiocesan Championship.

Saint William’s Band, (including the Prep and Junior Bands) would continue to dominate the CYO Music Circuit. They captured Class “A” Senior Band CYO Circuit and Festival Championships, year after year, up to and through the 1973 season (losing only one Festival title in 1968) During the period 1948 through 1973, under Dom’s leadership, the Band finished in first place, 213 times, in second place, 19 times, and in third place, only 2 times. What a dynastic record, one that will certainly never be surpassed. Without a doubt, Saint William’s Band deserved the title bestowed on it as “The Best Band in the Land.”

After 1973, with competition lacking and membership declining, Saint William’s temporarily dropped down into the CYO Prep Band Division, but eventually re-invented itself as a championship contender on the senior circuit. Under the leadership of Elliot Powers, the band proudly carried on the great name of Saint William’s, culminating with their amazing victory in the “Class A” Coast Guard Invitational Competition held in Connecticut in the Fall of 1981. In 1982, with support for CYO dwindling, the band was forced to end its illustrious and historic reign.

“Dom,” who managed the Band from 1948 through 1973, was the mainstay, the one constant who kept the Band’s winning streak alive. He was truly an incredible man, loved by hundreds and hundreds of young men and women who had the unique opportunity to be part of a championship band and winning tradition.

Band practices were tough, lengthy, and not for the faint of heart. He demanded perfection and attention to detail. Dom always said that what you do in practice will come naturally for you on the field of competition. So, the Band was no place for slackers. No place to kick back and relax. Music and drill practices were held during the wintertime, preparing the Band for the summer contest season. During the summer, practices were held throughout the week, with contests usually being held on Sundays, and sometimes, on Friday or Saturday nights.

Dom had great faith in God and made sure that we also remained true to our Catholic faith. During the contest season, Band members would go to the same Mass every Sunday and sit together. And if anyone missed Mass, Dom would know that they weren’t there. Before and after every contest, while on the bus, we would recite the Rosary, to give us strength on the field of competition, and to help guide us through life.

Winning was important to Dom, but his main goal was to build character. He once said to a band member, that when all was said and done, what people in Savin Hill would remember most about the Band wouldn’t be the championships. It would be the young people who were molded into well-adjusted, successful, and respected adults. Dom said that, when he drove down Savin Hill Avenue, he could always tell a “Band Kid” because the youngster walked with head held high and shoulders erect. Band Kids would eventually be called “Band Breed,” a label that was proudly acknowledged by all of us.
To many former Band members, the Band years were perhaps the most rewarding and fulfilling era of our lives. Dom was more than just a Band Director. He was a mentor, a friend, an inspiration, and a second-father to many. His legacy burns deep within the hearts of countless Band members. Dom has never been forgotten because he played such an intricate part in our young lives, preparing all of us for the future.

“I had to think about this for a bit,” said former clarinetist, Marcia (Hoyle) Walkama. “…Because what the band gave me was truly the direction my adult life became. Having Dom as an example of what a difference an adult can make in a kid’s life, and what a difference a caring adult can do in the direction a kid can choose, made me ‘pay it forward.’ My faith and my belief that ‘every kid has something good inside of them’ came from those years in the band. It made me reach out to those kids that weren’t in the forefront, weren’t stars, but needed that adult to see that someone cared and they were special. We were so lucky!”

Molding the young for adulthood was an integral part of Dom’s philosophy, and so was his desire to see that we all excelled in life. Without doubt, the quest for precision and perfection were two attributes Dom wanted to see Band members totally embrace as they journeyed through life.

“I think part of the draw for me was the excellence of the senior band,” said former saxophone player, Diane (Kenney) Williams. “The commitment to perfect timing, perfect partnership, perfect footwork…that is what I saw and heard, and I wanted to be part of it.”

Dom’s commitment to faith and excellence could only be surpassed by his love of country. He proudly served in the United States Army during World War II, stationed in Quadalcanal in the South Pacific. Former color guard member, Jeanne (Barry) Lydon, witnessed Dom’s patriotic fervor firsthand, during a band practice.

“We needed someone to carry the American Flag,” said Lydon. “Well, as you know the (person carrying) the American Flag didn’t move around the field as much as the other flag carriers. No one would volunteer. Dom was mad and would not tolerate it. He told us it was an honor to carry the American Flag. He said he would be back in five minutes and we better choose someone. I volunteered, and Dom was happy, but my dad was even prouder.

“When marching in parades, veterans on the sidewalks would stand at attention and salute the flag,” added Lydon. “Elderly men and women would put their hands over their hearts as we marched by, and young children would waive miniature American Flags with excitement. I carried the American Flag for Dom, and for my Dad.”

Dom, and hundreds and hundreds of his “Kids,” were part of a tremendous dynasty. He was an incredible individual, and it was an incredible time in our lives. We had the privilege to be part of something truly special. “Dom” gave hundreds of young adults an opportunity to grow together, to form life-long bonds and to learn life-long lessons about character, faith and perseverance. It truly was a unique era!

The Saint William’s Band “Gala” Reunion will be held on Saturday evening, September 24, 2011, at Boston College High School. Mass will be celebrated in the BC High Chapel at 6 P.M. Cocktail hour will begin at 7 p.m. Festivities and dinner will take place from 8 p.m.until 12 a.m.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the establishment of the “Saint William’s Band/Dominic Bianculli Scholarship Fund.” Tickets ($75 each) are on sale now. Due to the size of the venue, ticket sales are limited. If you cannot personally attend this event, but would still like to support the Band Scholarship Fund and Dom’s memory, consider making a tax-deductible donation or placing an advertisement in our commemorative program book. For more information email jamoburkeband@yahoo.com (if no email address, call 617-678-8884).

This article was prepared by members of the Saint William’s Band/Dominic J. Bianculli Scholarship Committee.