A Review of Well known Military and Civilian Musicians
As Seen in MUSICAL COLOURS- the Revised edition
Influential Musicians
Influential Musicians ABC
A.
Adkins,Hector Ernest b 1885 d 1962. English Military Musician. Held the position of Director of music at Kneller Hall. Was commissioned Lt Colonel His Treatise on Military bands was the foremost publication on military band arranging.
Albert Franz Eduard b 1879 d ? He was born in Kremsier Moravia . He became a bandmaster in Austria and led the Honved Regiment band from 1900 to 1910. In 1910 he was appointed leader of the Infantry Regiment band no 78a post he held until the end of the first World war. His best know work is the Plivelic March
Albrecht Pol b 1874 d 1975 Luxembourg military band musician. Conducted numerous bands during his 50 year career. In 1927 became the conductor of the Garde Grand-Ducale. Retired in 1939 after 50 years as military musician. He composed a large amount of music and wrote over 50 worked for the theater. His march compositions includes the march Patriae Fidelis – Faithful to Country
Alford Kenneth J b 1881 d 1945 (pseudonym for Frederick Joseph Ricketts) He was the march king of the United Kingdom and served the British military forces for 40 years from 1904 to his retirement in 1944. He was commissioned in the Royal Marines and wrote many of his fine marches while serving in the Marines. His march Colonel Bogey remains an icon in the world of band music
Allen Eugene Womack b 1927 After a long service to US military Army bands he became the director of the United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own) in 1976. He has written numerous fanfares and marches for special occasions. His best known march is All the Way for the 509th Airborne Infantry.
Allier Gabriel b 1863 d 1924 French composer and bandmaster of international fame. Became bandmaster of the 37th Regiment band at Nancy in 1887 . He conducted various other military bands until his retirement. He composed polkas, waltzes and several marches for military band including the most well known French march Le Chant du Depart-The Song of Farewell.
Ambrosch Anton b 1839 d 1886 He was distinguished Austrian bandmaster who led several military bands including the 29th Feldjager-Battalion band from 1859 to 1866. He wrote several marches that very strong parade marches including three Parade marches listed as a,b and c.
Ancliffe Charles b 1880 d 1952 He was Irish born and served in the 2nd Somerset Infantry band and later was admitted to Kneller Hall winning the gold baton award and graduating in 1900. He was appointed bandmaster at age 20 to the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers. He became quite well known for his Edwardian style ballroom waltzes. His waltz Nights of Gladness was published in 1912. His best known marches include The Liberators,and Castles of Spain
Altenburg,Johann Casper b ? 1688 d 1761 German trumpeter. He was in action at Malplaquet and remained in the army as trumpeter for 30 years.
Altenburg,Johann Ernst German trumpeter and Organist b 15 June 1734 d. 14 May 1801 He had a long distinguished career in the Army and was a field trumpeter during the seven years war and became more celebrated than his father He wrote a book on the art of military trumpeting Versuch einer Anteitung zur heroisch-musikalischen Trompeter-und Pauker-Kunst.
Angelini Angelo b1885 d 1973. He began the study of the Eb clarinet at age 10 and soon played in the twon band in Fasano Italy. At age 20 he enlisted in the Infantry Regiment band atationed at Bari. He transferred later to the 87th Infantry band at Siena and later in Pisa. He also began studies in Bassoon and cello along with other band instruments. He began to compose music for band and wrote over one hundred titles and later conducted several municipal bands. His most well know march is a symphonic march entitled Da Guardavalle a Rocella Jonica.
Azzolina Mark b 1925 He was the founder and conductor of the NORAD band in the USA. His background included a stint as music director for the Armed Forces Radio-TV service and he founded the North Atlantic Defense Command band in 1959. The band was the only international multi service band in existence containing musicians from Canada and the USA. The band performed for thousands of Canadian and American audiences throughout it’s 20 year colorful existence.
B. Bach Johann Jakob b 1682 d 1722 He was the brother of Johann Sebastian Bach and entered the military service Sweden in 1704 as an oboist. He was present at the battle of Poltava 1709 and later became a court musician at Stockholm. He is said to have written two military marches.
Baker John b 1910 d ?. Born in Hampshire England. He was trained as a flautist at the Royal Military School of Music. In 1926 he joined the Royal East Kent regimental band.. He returned to Kneller Hall for the bandmasters course in 1947 he was appointed Director of Music of the Black Watch band in 1951. He held this post for nine years. He was well known for his adaptations of music for bag pipes and military band. Other works include the Thistle Green Selection and two troops for military band.
Barreca Dominico b1852 d 1922. He was born in Sicily and began the study of brass instruments with the bandmaster of the local band. In 1872 he joined the Italian Army and served as a soldier, leaving two years later. In 1874 he was enlisted in the army as a musician and played Eb cornet in a infantry band .He began writing music for military band and in 1881 was selected as bandmaster of the 21st Regiment band. He wrote several known works most of which were unpublished with the exception of the march Il campo di Loreto and a few others that were published by Ricordi.
Barsotti Roger (dob not known) He began his career as a flautist and appeared with the Hastings Municipal orchestra. He joined the “Buffs” regiment as a band-boy in 1916 and was soon promoted to band Sgt. He attended the Royal Military School of Music and was appointed bandmaster of the Queen’s Royal Regiment in 1930,a position he held for fifteen years. He retired from the British army in 1946 after 30 years service to take over the Metropolitan Police band of London. He wrote several works for military band including two concert marches, State Pageantry and King’s Colours.
Bashford Rodney b 1917 d 1997 One of most colorful military musicians ever produced in the UK. He joined the Band of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (60th Rifles) in 1932 at the age of 15 and retired after 51 years of service as a Lt Colonel in 1983. He had many honors bestowed upon him including the Order of the British Empire. He was the director of music of The Grenadier Guards band from 1970-1980 and served as Senior Director of Music of the British Army from 1970 to 1974. His arrangements and compositions number in the hundreds.
Benter Charles b 1887 d 1964 He was the founder of The United Sates navy band and the organizer of the US Navy School of Music and the first naval musician to attain officer rank. He joined the navy in 1905 as an apprentice musician and served until his retirement in 1942 at numerous postings both at sea and on land. He was a charter member of the American bandmasters association and wrote several compositions for band including Our Navy. He also wrote and edited the book of National Airs of America
Berg Per b 1897 d 1957 He was a native of Sweden and studied clarinet at an early age entering Swedish military service with the Royal Göta Life Guards band in Stockholm in 1917. He received his first appointment in 1930 as band director of the 20th Infantry band. later he led a tank Corps band . He remained in the Swedish military service until 1953. In addition to several band arrangements he wrote numerous marches including the very popular Army and Marine march.
Berger Henry b 1844 d1929 He was born in Potsdam Prussia and entered the the Prussian Army as a musician . He played both Tuba and Double bass. Later he joined the orchestra of Johann Strauss JR and in 1871 he became the bandmaster of the elite Prussian 2nd Life Guards Regimental band. His fame however was quite unique because he is considered the father of Hawaiian Music. He was selected by King Kamehamha on the advice of the German Colony in Honolulu as the bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian band . He began his work with the band in 1872 and it was the beginning of a highly successful career as conductor of the court band which was known as the RHB. Later when Hawaii became annexed to the USA he continued to have an enormous impact on music in the islands writing several songs and playing hundreds of concerts each year. His birthday of August 4th is observed each year and in 1944 the annual Berger concerts were begun and continue to this day.
Bimboni Giovacchino b 1810 d 1895. He was born in Firenze Italy and began the study of flute with his father. Later joined a theatre orchestra in Perogla. In 1827 Bimboni joined the band of the 2nd Tuscan Regiment. In 1854 he entered service with the grand Duke of Tuscany. In 1846 he performed with Johann Strauss in Vienna. From 1840 to 1866 he was the leader of the National Guard band (1859). He wrote numerous pieces for band including the Concerto Brilliante for Trombone on the Carnival of Venice.
Borg Oscar b 1851 d 1930 He has been referred to as the March King of Norway. His musical education was financed by King Oscar II at the Stockholm Music Conservatory. On his return to Norway in 1872 he was appointed director of the Army band which is known today as the Eastern Region Band. His contract called for him to serve for five years but he remained in service for 50 years retiring as a Lieutenant in 1918. His compositions include the well known Scandinavian march Crown Prince Olaf’s Honor March.
Bowles Richard W b 1918 He served in the United States Army during the Second World War and directed the 715th US Army band until 1946. His adaptation of the the Old New Orleans favorite When The Saints go Marching In is his most well known contribution to the military band repertoire.
Bourgeois John R b 1934. Born in Louisiana, he attended Loyola University and studied the French-horn, later taking private tuition with several teachers. He joined the US Marine corps in 1956 as a musician and was selected for the US marine band in Washington in 1958. In 1979 he was appointed assistant leader of the Marine band and in 1979 he was made leader of the band. He retired in 1982. He was the recipient of several awards for his contribution to military and civilian band music in the USA. In 1964 he was awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa American Bandmasters award for excellence which he received at a gala concert in Quebec City, Canada.
Boyer Thornton Barnes b 1858 d 1936 He was born in of Phoenixville Pennsylvania. He studied music at a military Academy and later moved to Keokuk Iowa where he became a member of the National Guard. He served as the conductor of the 6th Illinois Regiment band and the 50th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. His most well known compositions include Joyce’s 71st NY Regiment and Sousa’s Triumphal a dedication march in honor of John Philip Sousa.
Branson Taylor b 1880 d 1969. A native of Washington DC began the study of the violin with Marine Corps band member William Santelmann. He enlisted in the US marines at the age of seventeen and soon became concertmaster of the Marine Orchestra. He was appointed Leader of the US Marine band in 1927 and retired from the service in 1940 with the rank of Captain. He was a pioneer in instrumental music broadcasting . Most of his marches and music were dedicated to the US Marine corps and included the General Lejune March.
Brendler Charles b 1898 d 1965. He began performing on clarinet at a very early age. At age 15 he joined the navy; he continued his studies on clarinet. In 1917 he was posted to the Washington Navy Yard band where he became the solo clarinet. He made a steady climb through the ranks of the navy. As soloist with the newly formed Navy band he won acclaim throughout the USA. In 1938 he was appointed to the position of assistant leader of the US Navy band with the rank of Lieutenant. He retired with forty-nine years service in 1962 with the rank of Commander. He could never erase from his memory the loss of nineteen of his musicians who were lost in a mid air collision over Brazil in 1960.
Briegel George F b 1890 d 1968. Born in Scranton Pennsylvania he began early studies of the violin. While still in his teens he joined the US Military Academy band at West Point. He became director of the New York Regiment band from 1914to 1917 and resumed the post from 1920 to 1940. He published many of his own compositions for band including Men O’ the Navy March
Brokenshire James Opie b1865 d 1938 He was born in Cornwall England and moved with his family to Plymouth Pennsylvania. He began his musical education on the organ eventually learning every instrument available. At age 19 he joined the band of the 7th Cavalry at Fort Riley Kansas. Soon after he became the regiment’s bandmaster. He retired form active service in1915 but was recalled to become inspector of music and musical instruments for the US Army. His military career took him to China, Cuba the Philippines Hawaii, England and France. He retired in 1936. His contribution to the military band march repertoire includes The Cavalry Soldier and The Glory of Trumpets
Buckley Lewis J b1947 studied at the Eastman School of Music before entering the United Sates Coast band in 1969. He became trumpet soloist with band and he organized and began conducting Coast Guard band ensembles and was commissioned in 1975 and appointed director of the band. He developed the band into one of the finest military bands in the USA. He made several recordings and he has written and arranged numerous concert pieces for military band.
Buglione Annibale b 1848 d 1933 Born in Italy he studied violin and cornet eventually emigrating to the US in 1881. He joined the US Army and served in several postings over a thirty year period. He became a bandmaster later in his career of the 4th Coast Artillery band in Fort Monroe Virginia. He retired in 1911. His wrote several marches most of them dedicated to his life in the US military including the marches Legion of Honor and The Fighting Army.
Buglione Godfrey b 1879 d 1934. He began early studies with his father Annibale on Violin and Cornet and followed in his father’s footsteps in military music. He qualified as a bandmaster in 1917 and later was commissioned during World War 1. He took command of the 15th Infantry band in France and served with distinction. Following the war he retired and became the bandmaster of the 159th Regiment National Guard in Oakland California.
Cappa Carlo Alberto b 1843 d 1893. Born in Alessandria on the island of Sardinia studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music at Asti and on completion of his studies he joined the band of the 6th Lancers on 1st Trombone. Following a performance of a trombone solo for the crew of the US Navy Frigate The Constitution he was invited to join the ship’s band. On completion of a two year enlistment he joined the famous Boston Brass band in February 1858. Later he joined the 7th Regiment band under Claudio Grafulla and was with the band throughout the US Civil war. In 1881 he became the director of the 7th Regiment band and under his direction to fame of the band grew far and wide. He pioneered the establishment of low pitch for military bands in the USA. His band appeared at numerous fairs and exhibitions throughout both the US and Canada. He was knighted by the Italian government in 1891.His most well know works include The American Navy March and the Pro Patria Gloria March.
Cardon Roland b 1929 B in Ronse Belgium he began clarinet studies and eventually was selected for the Royal Conservatory at Ghent. He began his military career as solo flutist with the 12th Brigade band at Arlon in 1954. In 1957 he was selected to be assistant bandmaster of the 4th division band at Liege and later in 1963 he was appointed to Director of Music of the Belgium Home Military Forces band. In 1972 he began an important series series of band concerts on Belgium National Radio. He became a fixture at the Mons International Music Festival conducting massed bands and writing special music for the occasion. His march Time is Over is the theme of the festival.
Carion Mario b 1927. He was born in Belgium and studied clarinet as well as harmony and history at the Royal Conservatories of Liege and Mons winning numerous awards. He joined the Belgian military as a musician and eventually became bandmaster of several military bands in Aachen, Cologne and Soest Germany. From 1973 to 1979 he was the director of the Belgian Interior Defense Forces Band at Arlon. He composed several numbers for military band including Le Bon Vingt and Fanfare and Allegro for band
Carl Karl b 1830 d 1898 Born in Forsheim Germany he began to study instrumental music and eventually joined the 1st Artillery Regiment band in Augsburg. In 1851 he was appointed leader of the trumpet corps of the Augsburg Regiment. He was considered one of the most popular bandmasters in the Bavarian Army. Some of his works include the Hochlander march and Mussinan march
Chernetsky Semyon b 1881 d 1950 (also Sergei and Simeon) He was a gifted young musician who was schooled in the Russian tradition of military music. He joined the army and his musicianship permitted him to become a bandmaster early in his career. He furthered his studies by entering the Petrograd Music Conservatory (known as Leningrad and St Petersburg) in in 1917. He later became the command inspector for musicians in the Petrograd military district and in 1924 taught conducting to military bandmasters. In 1932 he became the senior director of the newly formed Soviet Army Band. This band which numbered 200 at times remained stationed in Moscow during the war and played numerous concerts at hospitals and military bases. He won several awards for his work with the band. His band gained international prominence through this highly gifted musician. He wrote several marches and special pieces for military band including several patriotic marches such as Salute to Moscow
Chomel Leonce b 1881 d 1935 was a native of Saint Remy France and his talent was recognized very early in his life and he studied music with various musicians. He entered military service with the 2nd Engineers Regiment in Montpellier with hopes of qualifying as a bandmaster. He eventually was selected as the assistant bandmaster for various bands and finally achieving the position of the 47th Regiment band at St Malo. In 1898 he was assigned his goal of the position of Director of the 31st Regiment in Paris. During World War 1 he was cited three times for his inspiring band work in won the coveted Croix de Guerre. He was well known for his band transcriptions which were excellent and are still available from major music publishers in France.
Cirenei Luigi b 1881 d 1947. He established his prominence as a musician in early life and studied with composer Pietro Mascagni and received diplomas in advanced composition and in band. In 1911 he won a competition for appointment as a military bandmaster and joined the 89th Infantry band in Genoa. In 1921 he was transferred to Rome and after stringent examinations became the second director of the famous CARABINIERI BAND of Rome. One of the Europe’s most prestigious bands he appeared in concert in cities world wide. For his work as second leader he was nominated Cavaliere Ufficile of the Italian Crown in 1919. His most well known composition is Marcia d’Ordinanza del Carabinieri
Clappé Arthur A b 1850 d 1920 He studied at Trinity College and at Kneller hall later becoming a bandmaster of the 60th Rifles. He emigrated to Canada in 1877 and lead the Governor General’s Foot Guards band in Ottawa for seven years. In 1884 he moved to the USA and became bandmaster of the US Military Academy band at West Point. in 1888. In 1911 he helped to establish the US Army School of Music. His march output was extensive and includes the Dominion Grand March and the parade march Esprit des Corps.
Clarke, Herbert L b 1867 d 1945 He was cornet soloist and assistant conductor for the Sousa band from 1893 until 1917. In addition to his position with the Sousa band, Clarke was also employed during his lengthy musical career as solo cornetist with the professional bands of Victor Herbert, Patrick Gilmore, Frederick Innes and Ernest Neyer. In addition to his notable career as a cornet soloist, Clarke served as conductor of the Reeves American Band (Providence, Rhode Island) the Huntsville (Ontario) Anglo-Canadian Leather Company Band and the Long Beach (California) Municipal Band, a post he held from 1923-1943.
Claus Joseph B b 1833 d 1905 Born in Germany he began to study flute and piano as a child and at age 13 joined his father in England who was bandmaster of the 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales Regiment). He also learned to play clarinet and cornet under his father’s tutelage. At age 19 he received his first appointment as a bandmaster and later was with the 6th Regiment band. He left the British Army in 1871 and emigrated to the USA where he became a respected teacher and orchestra director and bandmaster at the New England Conservatory of Music. He wrote several outstanding marches a turn of the century piece called the Monte Carlo March.
Collins William George b 1815 d 1886 He was born into the Royal Artillery regiment and served the regiment as a musician for fifty years. He began as a boy and eventually enlisted into the Royal Artillery band as a drummer. He studied violin and clarinet. He was a naturally gifted musician and in 1845 he was appointed to the position of bandmaster. He went on to organize and conduct numerous concerts beginning in 1846 at the Theatre Royal in Woolwich and in London and Brighton. Collins was the first bandmaster in Britain to introduce the saxophone to the military band.
Revised: August 18, 2008.