The Employees Improvement Association (E.I.A.), which was established for the employees of the Florence Wagon Works in East Florence, was formed in early February, 1894 and soon became a fixture in the community.  Employees had been discussing the idea of forming a brass band, and thirty dollars was placed in the treasury to be used for instruments and 12 instruments were ordered at the February 17, 1894 meeting.

Suppliers of musical instruments, sheet music as well as music teachers were a part of the community very early on, and the newspapers carried advertisements and news of special goods, services and events.

One Advertisement in the Florence Gazette, October 15, 1858, proclaimed – To Everybody – F.W. Bornheim informs the public that he has just returned from the North and East with a large and choice lot of musical instruments of various sorts – Accordians, Guitars, Flutinas of different tones and prices.  Musical Merchandise is prepared to furnish the following musical goods at greatly reduced rates – at least 20 per cent.

The music professor at the Synodical Female Institute also was an entrepreneur of sorts.  Prof. C. M. Leibich…will undertake to keep pianos in tune, he will select and purchase pianos of the very best quality, for those wishing to buy, pianos selected by him will be fully warrented (sic) for three years…the  best guitars from $15 and upward constantly on hand.