-
6/26/2012
Before the era of commercial radio and sound recordings had transformed how Americans listened to popular music, John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) and his civilian band captivated star-struck audiences across America. People crowded the streets and train stations in eager anticipation of a possible glimpse of the renowned band and such superstar musicians as Herbert L. Clarke, Arthur Pryor and Herman Bellstedt. However, most musicians of the Sousa Band were not as famous, and even though their contributions may not be easily remembered today, their performance in the Sousa Band was instrumental to Sousa?s success as a band leader. This exhibit?s historical photographs briefly explore the lives of Clarence Russell, John Van Fossen, Winifred Bambrick, John Jacob Mountz, and other members of Sousa?s illustrious band.
-
7/24/2012
The Sousa Band completed five over-seas tours of France, Germany, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Belgium, Russia, Poland, Austria, Bohemia, Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa, Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand between 1900 and 1911. While the band toured extensively around the world, the majority of their international concerts were performed in Great Britain and its colonies. This small exhibition explores John Philip Sousa?s more interesting Anglo-American connections as a composer and band leader, and highlights some events that marked the beginning of a long and complex debate on the issues of international copyright and fair use on which Sousa was often asked to comment for the remainder of his music career.
-
8/27/2012
Of the 1,770 commercial sound recordings that were made of Sousa?s civilian band between 1892 and 1932, only eight were conducted by the ?March King.? Two additional recordings of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company Band playing ?March of the Mitten Men? (later entitled ?Power and Glory?) and ?The Thunder? were also recorded with Sousa at the podium. While Sousa had a general aversion to most forms of mechanically reproduced music, he did not prohibit his band?s musicians from being recorded and many established reputations as recording artists and studio conductors. In addition, Sousa?s Band played a significant role in the rapid development of the Victor Talking Machine Company under the direction of Arthur Pryor. Pryor played solo trombone for the band and served as one of Sousa?s assistant conductors. This exhibit explores Pryor?s 1912 Victor recording sessions and his impact on America?s early twentieth-century audio recordings.
-
9/3/2012
Arthur Endres Kraeckmann (1893-1975) was a renowned twentieth-century baritone who as a native of Chicago, IL spent most of his singing career in France as the leading baritone at the Grand Opera. Initially intent on becoming a farmer, he studied Agriculture at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and graduated with a bachelor or science degree in 1916. While a student at the University he be involved in a long-term courtship with Mabel Roeher, who attended Illinois as a music student. Kraeckmann was never able to convince her to move with him to Europe so he could pursue his music career. This exhibit explores through Kraeckmann?s letters his gentile courtship with a young music co-ed between 1915 and 1924, and the challenges he faced as a young mid-westerner seeking fame and fortune on Europe?s greatest opera stages.
-
9/17/2012
French hornist John Jacob Mountz (1898-1967), after graduating from Decatur, Illinois High School, enrolled at the University of Illinois as an engineering student and played first horn in the Illinois Band under direction A. Austin Harding. Mountz left the University of Illinois in January 1923 without finishing his degree and moved to Chicago to continue studying horn under Mr. DeMare of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. In March of that year Harding recommended Mountz to John Philip Sousa, and in September Mountz was invited to join the Sousa Band by band manager Jay Sims. He accepted Sousa's invitation and toured with the Sousa Band between October 1923 and March 1924. After leaving the Sousa Band he took different positions playing horn in Richmond, VA, Washington DC, and Chicago. This exhibit chronicles Mountz's music career through photographs and correspondence, and highlights his unique professional relationship with Harding and Sousa.