While not actually a photo of a band or an orchestra, this one is a photo of a band of "gypsies". I have posted this one before - some years ago - but it is one of my favourite photos of my mother.
She was a young teacher, working far from home in a remote country area of South Australia in the twenties. Not sure whether this photo was while she was teaching at Minlaton on the Yorke Peninsula or Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. She had come from a pretty sheltered life in a small country village, and when she escaped home and a large family of younger brothers and sisters, she had a wonderful social life in the larger country towns.
Her family were German Lutherans and while not strict in their beliefs, there were a lot of restrictions on the young ones, especially as they became teenagers. In the country away from home, she was one a a lively group of young teachers, bankers, stock agents, doctors etc and they loved to socialise - dances, balls, parties, sports events, picnics, country shows, race meetings, concerts and all the other pleasures of life in a country town.
This is a photo of her group of friends all dressed up for a fancy dress ball. The girls do have tambourines, though I doubt if any of them could play them. My mother is seated on the right.
I have very few photos of my mum, so this one is greatly treasured.
Liz Needle - linking with Sepia Saturday.
...often leaving home can broaden your outlook on life!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful treasure for sure. I think the gypsy costume fad was influenced by early Hollywood film stars like Rudolph Valentino, Errol Flynn, and similar actors.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have this beautiful photo Liz!
ReplyDeleteKeeping the rhythm is key to playing percussion instruments like the tambourine. If you have rhythm, you can play a tambourine. I'll bet those gals could do it. Neat picture!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post of a charming group - love the costumes and the tambourines. I had one as a child and enjoyed “dancing” around with it. I know how precious one photograph can be of a parent. I have only three of my father before he met my mother.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent photo of your mother, and how wonderful that she is also posed with friends on such a fun occasion.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see this photo...which I probably don't remember if I saw it before anyway! Love the happiness reflected in those young faces. I bet the scarves on their heads were red!
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