One of the wonderful songs in our large “book” of music is called “Harlem Nocturne.” Linked below is an excellent biography of the composer by Wayne S. Walker. The author provides an interesting look into the life andContinue reading “Earle Harry Hagen – “The Famous Composer Nobody Ever Heard Of””

Over the years, the band has played a lot of Stephen Foster compositions and has also recorded a CD called The Unknown Stephen Foster of only his songs. Please enjoy this biography of the wonderful American composer StephenContinue reading “Stephen Foster”

Trumpeter Harry Haag James was born on March 15, 1916 to Everett Robert James and Maybelle Myrtle James in Albany, Georgia. His father played trumpet and was working as a conductor for traveling circus bands. His mother alsoContinue reading “Harry James and Circus Bands”

The band was delighted to participate in an event in Chatfield, Texas to honor World War I soldier Zach Brooks, an African American soldier from the area. The memorial service took place at Chatfield Baptist Church. Mr. BrooksContinue reading “Honoring Zach Brooks, 8/12/18”

The song alternately known as the “Navy Hymn,” “For Those in Peril on the Sea” or “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” dates back to 1860. During the 19th century, hymnbooks typically included sections of hymns devoted to theContinue reading “Navy Hymn”

What music should be associated with the Alamo? There are at least two pieces that are known as El Degüello (alternatively spelled El Dagüello or simply the “Americanized” Deguello). The first is a bugle call traditionally thought toContinue reading “El Degüello / El Dagüello”

Frank White Meacham was born in Buffalo, New York in 1856 to John Horace Meacham and Mary Emma Page Meacham. He was the middle child of at least five siblings. In the 1865 census, John Horace’s profession wasContinue reading “Frank W. Meacham”

Wagner was the composer of a well known march called “Under the Double Eagle” in 1893. It has been so often performed by United States bands over the years that it could easily be mistaken to be anContinue reading “Josef Franz Wagner”