The Three Pillars musical parade
The Three Pillars musical parade

History has a way of repeating itself, and in 2019 Three Pillars Senior Living Communities in Dousman, Wisconsin, saw an incredible reprise of their Kitchen Band.

Earlier in the year, Three Pillars’ resident choir, the Singing Ambassadors, found themselves brainstorming what fun, unique twist they could pull off for their annual float in the local Dousman Derby Days parade. Before long, they were crafting their own slide whistles, shakers, bass drums, spoon percussion, and more, and – unbeknownst to them at the time – the 2nd edition of the Three Pillars Kitchen Band was born.

“They didn’t know it at the time, but the group they just formed is a 43-year re-creation of a kitchen band from circa 1976,” longtime Three Pillars employee and historian-by-default, Dawn Jones, reminisces. “Seeing the current group in costume on the Derby Days parade float immediately brought me back, so I knew I had to find the photo.” 


Dawn remembers that the original Kitchen Band group formed all on their own out of a desire to make a unique style of music from homemade instruments. They rehearsed regularly and enjoyed taking their show on the road. Not surprisingly, they even performed as part of the Dousman Derby Days parade, 43 years earlier – delighting crowds then and now!

Kelsey P.
Customer Experience Manager