WALLACE — They say money can't buy happiness, and they're right. Sometimes all you need is a good trade. 

Earlier this month, the Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps traveled east to the Montana State Elks Convention in Great Falls. But it's what they brought home that has the fraternal organization excited. 

According to Sera White, a current member of the Wallace Elks and past president of the Idaho State Elks, the Great Falls Elks Lodge once had its own drum and bugle corps. Like many Elks chapters, however, the group was eventually disbanded because of declining participation and financial challenges. The lodge, though, retained a collection of gently used instruments. 

At the same time, the Wallace Elks have continued to maintain their drum and bugle corps. As membership has grown, the lodge has struggled to afford enough instruments for new musicians. 

That sparked an idea: The Wallace corps would perform at the Montana State Elks Convention in exchange for the instruments from the Great Falls Lodge. Both groups agreed, and the deal was made. 

"We're excited to have more instruments available for our new band members," Wallace Elk Scott Birkbeck said. "This gives them the opportunity to explore different instruments and switch if they'd like to try something new." 

During the performance in Great Falls, Elks National President and Grand Exalted Ruler Tim Jaeger joined the Wallace musicians, a moment White called a "highlight of the weekend." 

"We all felt an incredible sense of pride performing for the Montana State Elks," Wallace member Stevyn Schmidt said. "They were so appreciative of our performance, and their enthusiasm made us feel like rock stars." 

Wallace Elk Sarah Birkbeck said each inherited instrument came with a case bearing the previous owner's name, allowing new players to honor Elks members from generations past. 

"It's a special honor to play an instrument that was such an important part of another Lodge's band and history," she said. 

For White, the additional instruments create new opportunities for the Wallace Lodge to expand its musical repertoire. 

According to White, the Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps can trace its history back at least to 1921, the date of the oldest known photograph of the group. Today, it is believed to be the last continuously active Elks-sponsored drum and bugle corps in the United States, a distinction White said makes preserving the tradition especially meaningful. 

The Wallace Elks Drum and Bugle Corps extended its thanks to the Great Falls Elks Lodge, the Montana Elks Association and Elks lodges throughout Montana for their hospitality and support during the convention. 

The corps is proud to carry forward not only Wallace's own musical heritage, but also the spirit and legacy of the Great Falls Elks Drum and Bugle Corps. 

"We received a lot of attention on Great Falls social media after performing at several local venues," White said. "Many audience members were amazed by our performance. While people in the valley are used to seeing us perform, it was exciting to reach new audiences and be recognized by the broader community."