History of Proctor's Marching Band

Moody's Marching Band:

."John Peter Moody (August 19, 1893 – January 14, 1989), the 95-year-old founder and former director of Proctor's award-winning high school marching band, died Saturday in Nopeming Nursing Home. Mr. Moody, who lived on First Street in Proctor, is credited with bringing nationwide attention to Proctor during his career as school band director from 1934 to 1963. His band won numerous marching competitions and was featured at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

"Mr. Moody was born and raised in Cloquet and earned a master's degree in music education from the McPhail School of Music (MacPhail Center for Music) in Minneapolis.

"Before taking the Proctor job, he gave violin lessons and played violin in Duluth movie theaters during the silent movie era. He was a member of the Duluth Symphony (Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra) from its inception until age 70, when he retired and moved to California. He lived in Santa Ana, California, for 24 years before moving back to Proctor.

"The Proctor bands were renowned for their precision and the uniqueness of their maneuvers, drills and dance routines. Band members didn't carry sheet music; everything was done from memory and practice.

"Mr. Moody's former band members honored him last summer by putting together a Proctor alumni marching band for the annual Proctor Hoghead Parade on August 20.

"Mr. Moody served with the Army infantry during World War I and was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church of Proctor."