Influential Musicians
Uhlir Jan b 1894 d 1970 He joined the army in Bohemia in 1911 becoming a member of the Infantry Regiment No.1. He was taken prisoner by the Russians in World war I and eventually became the bandmaster of the 12th Czech regiments stationed in Russia. He returned home in 1918 and became bandmaster in various locations including Prague. He also took time to study at the Prague Conservatory of Music. On his graduation he was named Commandant of the Military School of Music. later he was inspector of Czechoslovakian military bands and taught instrumentation at the Prague Conservatory. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1958. He wrote an enormous amount of material for band including 34 marches,10 Intermezzos 6 Waltzes,6 Polkas and 8 other works. His march Radost is his most well known work and was recorded by several bands in Czechoslovakia,
Unrath Carl Ludwig b 1828 d 1908. He was orphaned at birth but went on to become one of Germany's most well known and popular composers of military marches. He became an apprentice bandsman at age 15 and entered the 4th Wurtemberg Regiment playing clarinet with the band for four years. In 1847 he was promoted to the band of the First Brigade. In 1848 he was selected for conservatory training. He was appointed bandmaster of the 14th regiment band in Ulm in 1850 at age twenty-two. He remained as bandmaster with this band until 1872. He had a distinguished war record serving with his regiment in the Seven Weeks war of 1870 and later in 1870-71 his regiment helped to overthrow the French Empire. He retired in 1878 and undertook a civilian occupation with the war ministry. He wrote approximately 100 marches and his works became known both in Europe and North America. His King Charles march is still performed and recorded in North America and has been programmed by several US and Canadian service bands. His march Pass in Review (Defiler) became staple for several Canadian Army bands following visits and postings to Germany in the 1950's.His melodic compositions are among the most well scored music in the history of military music.
Urbanec Rudolph b 1907 d 1976 He had a very early interest in music and was able to learn violin under his own guidance. He attended the Military School of Music in Prague from 1924 to 1926 majoring in violin and baritone. In 1926 he joined the Czech Infantry Regiment band 35 at Pilsen. He also continued his studies at the Local Music School. In 1933 he left military service to perform with several civilian orchestras. From 1934 to 1936 he attended the Prague Conservatory and on graduation was accepted as an bandmaster in the Czech Army. His first appointment was as director of the Regiment 17 band and when broke out he left to forma band in Iran. He later led bands in Israel and eventually made his way to England. Following the war he returned to Prague and led the band of the Castle Guard and on retirement was music editor and manager and chief editor of the State Music Publishing House. He led the Supraphone concert band who made several recordings of concert band music. His known works consist of nine pieces three of which were marches including, Catherine March, The Peoples Army, and Wave Flag of Ours.
Van Der Glas, Jan Roelof b 1879 d 1972. At age six he began studies on the piano. Later at age 16 was selected for service in the Dutch Army Staff band stationed at Assesn. He proved to be a quick learner and the band conductor encouraged him to continue his studies. He learned to perform on French Horn, euphonium and cornet. In 1923 he was appointed director of the 5th Regiment Staff band stationed in Amersfoort. His band made a steady improvement under his direction and gained wide acceptance. He retired from the army in 1939. He composed a number of works for band which included several marches some of which were later recorded by the Royal marines Band of the Netherlands Navy.
Van Leeuwen Adrianus Cornelius b 1887 d 1962 born in the Netherlands he joined the 8th Regiment band as a young man in 1903 where he received his training both in theory and as an instrumentalist. He learned flugelhorn and eventually became a senior musician. later became a assistant leader of several military bands before qualifying as a bandmaster in 1936. He wrote several works for band and his most well known compositions include the Dutch Army march and March Heroique.
Vezina Joseph b 1849 d 1924 He was known as the father of Military bands in Canada. He was a very highly respected teacher and composer as well as an outstanding conductor. He was born in Quebec City and studied with the eminent composer Calixa Lavalleé who wrote O Canada. He was however a self taught musician who had a natural flair for music. He learned organ and many of the wind instruments of the band., He became a baritone player in the 9th Battalion of the Quebec Rifles and remained with that band from 1869 to 1879. In 1898 he became the bandmaster of the first permanent band in Canada, the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery band. He also formed several civilian bands in Quebec city. He was responsible for organizing all of the musical events for the 300th anniversary of Quebec in 1908. Although he never actually joined the military forces of Canada serving as a civilian bandmaster on the civil service list he was considered one of Canada's top military musicians. He wrote a vast amount of music for band and orchestra most of which remains unpublished. His most enduring work was the Marche de Parade -Parade March.
Villeneuve Charles A b 1930 He began an early career at the Quebec Conservatory of music . He joined the Royal 22nd band in 1952 as an oboist. In 1957 he was selected to attend Kneller hall in England on the bandmaster course. While at the school he became a member of the London Wind ensemble. He graduated in 1960 and on his return to Canada he was appointed as director of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps band in Montreal. On the amalgamation of the Canadian Forces in 1968 he became leader of the Royal Canadian Artillery band in Montreal. In August 1978 he was selected as the director of the famous R22nd Regiment band in Quebec City (commonly known as the Van-Doo's) with the rank of Major. In 1980 he was promoted to Lt Colonel and became the supervisor of music for the Canadian Forces. He retired in 1984 and continued to serve as music coordinator for the Army cadets in the Quebec region . His most popular composition was La Belle Equipe -The Fine Team.
Voigt Friedrich Wilhelm b 1833 d 1894 He was born in Koblenz and received his initial training with his father. His talent was quite noticeable and he was sent to the local 30th regiment band at age 16. He furthered his studies at the Rheinishe Music school in Cologne from 1851to 1853.He was given a royal commission to study with August Wilhelm Bach at the Royal Academy of fine Arts in Berlin. He continued his work both as a performer on violin and as a composer winning numerous awards. He was recommended by William Wieprecht the supervisor of all German bands to become bandmaster of the 1st Regiment Foot Guards in Potsdam. He remained in this position from 1857 to 1887 He eventually was selected to become the supervisor for all German bands in 1887 to 1890. He retired in 1890 . In 1892 he led the combined bands of the German Army in a concert of music by Richard Wagner and this work was acknowledged by Wagner when he sent a portrait to Voigt. He wrote over 100 works many of which were for military band, including the exciting and unique march the German Emperor's Guards (Die deutsche Kaisergarde)
W. Wake Wilhelm b 1864 d 1944 He was born in Bohemia and studied at the Prague Conservatory from 1879 to 1882. He entered military service in 1882 joining the Infantry Regiment band no.74. He left the army and became a music director in the town of Brixen. Later in 1894 he was appointed the musical director of the Infantry Regiment band the famous Hoch and Deutchmeister band. Under his direction the band gained wide acclaim often referred to as the philharmonic in uniform. He led this band until 1918. He retired after the collapse of the monarchy and began to write seriously for both orchestra and concert band. His march Thundering Cannons is his most well known and thrilling works for band.
Wagner Josef Franz b 1856 d 1908 He was born in Vienna and in his short lifetime became the march king of Austria. He studied at the Royal Military Institute in Kaschau and following military duty in the army n 1878 he was appointed bandmaster of the Royal 47th Infantry Regiment band. He remained in that post until 1892 he was appointed bandmaster of the 49th Infantry band which had several stations including Krems, Brünn and Vienna. He retired from the army in 1899 and began devoting more time to writing. Over 250 of his works were published and his opus numbers exceed 400 for total compositions. He wrote numerous marches, waltzes, concertos, and songs. His music has been recorded by several eminent bands including the Sepots Guards and the US Naval Academy band. One of his most widely acclaimed and popular marches was the Tyrolean Woodchopper march, Napolean march and his march Under the Double Eagle remains a universal favorite.
Wagnes Eduard b 1863 d 1936 Born in Graz Austria he began study of the piano and French horn at an early age. In 1878 he began a professional career by touring with the orchestra of Eduard Strauss. He served in the army from 1882 to 1885 with the 27th Regiment band of the Austro-Hungarian Army. In 1890 he became the bandmaster of the Uniformed citizens corps of Graz. In 1895 he moved to Yugoslavia to become the bandmaster of the 2nd Bosnia-Herzegovina Infantry Regiment. He did wear a uniform but like many bandmasters of the time was a civil servant. He remained as bandmaster with this band until 1919. He wrote over 300 compositions including operettas, forty waltzes and 100 marches as well as several other compositions. His most well known and beloved march is The Bosnians are Coming.
Whitcom, Kenneth George b 1926 was born in Battle Creek Michigan and attended Central High School in that city. Considered to be a superb natural musician he was selected for service with the United States Military Academy band at West Point in 1946 where he performed on clarinet and saxophone and was the chief arranger and assistant bandmaster. While at West Point he wrote a march called The Jubilee march under the pseudonym George Kenny. He later became the band master of the 30th Army band overseas in Germany. Following his retirement from the army in 1966 he became one of Americas top arrangers and composers . He arranged all of the music for the opening of the Epcot Center at Disney-World in 1982 and continues to play an active part at Disney-World each year. Besides Jubilee he wrote the concert march Coat of Arms.
White, William C b 1882 d 1964 He was a long serving American military musician, with 41 years service. He began musical studies at age 12 on violin, clarinet and saxophone. In 1907 he joined the US Army as a member of the 19th Coastal Artillery band at Fort Banks. He also had an opportunity to continue his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music graduating in 1911. His next appointment in the Army was as adjutant of the Army School of Music in Governor's Island New York. He graduated as bandmaster in 1914 and was appointed as the Assistant Principal of the Army Music School in Washington and later became the Principal. During peacetime he had several military postings including Hawaii in 1928 and in New York and Washington. When war broke out in 1941 he again assumed the leadership of the US Army School of Music in Washington training musicians for military units. In 1946 he was appointed the director of the 321st Army band and he retired in 1948 with the rank of Chief warrant Officer.. He composed 8 marches all published by the Fischer Company the most well known is The General's march 1932
Whiting Chester Earl b 1901 d 1985 Born near the city of Boston Mass he began the study of music by learning clarinet and saxophone. later he also played trombone and drums. In 1915 he joined the local National Guard band . He later attended Boston College and the New England Conservatory of Music. From 1924 to 1940 he was the director of the 110th Massachusetts National Guards band. During the early part of the war he was chief of bands of the 26th Yankee Division and earned the Bronze Star on New Caledonia for helping to raise the morale of the troops. He was sent back to the US at the end of the war to form the 1st Combat Infantry Corps band and traveled across the US helping to sell war bonds. In 1946 he organized the United States Ground Forces band which eventually was renamed the Army Field band. This band traveled extensively playing concerts in every corner of America and in Europe as well as in Canada. He retired from the army in 1960. Most of his marches were composed while he was serving in the Pacific Theatre of combat and a few have been published including Americal Division and Minnesota State Fair written after the war in 1949.
Widner, Ivar Fredrik b 1891 d 1973 Born in Sweden he began to study cornet at an an early age. At age fourteen he joined the band of the Royal Västmanland Regiment. In 1909 he was accepted for study at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and graduated in 1915. In 1916 he became the Director of Music of the band of the Royal Norbotten Regiment. From 1923 to 1932 he was the director of the Hälsinge Regiment band with the rank of Captain. He was selected as the Director of Music of the prestigious Royal Navy band from 1932 to 1947. He retired in 1947. He presented very popular concerts at the Skansen, the open air museum in Stockholm. He was awarded the Royal Order of Vasa for his service to Sweden. He wrote over 100 works including 30 marches, several waltzes. His most well known marches were Swedish Signal March No 1 and Our Navy.
Widqvist Magnus Viktor b 1881 d 1952 Born in Stockholm he began early studies of music on violin and tuba.. He joined the army at age 17 with the Royal Engineers band In 1918 after several years of serious study he was appointed as director of the Royal Engineers band in Boden. He later was transferred to the Royal Engineers band in Karlsborg. He retired from the army in 1925. He returned to civilian life and earned a reputation as a professional violinist. He composed a number of light concert pieces for both orchestra and band his most well known numbers for military band were the marches Queen of Malaren and Under the Blue and Yellow Flag.
Wieprecht, Wilhelm b 1802 d 1872 He was one of most influential military musicians of his age.. He developed the instrumentation for various types of bands in Germany and Prussia and through his leadership the military band gained vast prominence and acceptance throughout the world. His work in the development of piston brass instruments heralded the advent of the valve trumpets, horns, tubas and euphoniums. He reorganized 30 infantry bands and ten cavalry bands in Germany and by 1838 he became the director of the band of the Berlin Guide. He was born into a family of military musicians. He learned violin and oboe from his father later learning clarinet and trumpet. He studied with musicians of the Royal Orchestra of Bernberg. He was encouraged by Carl Maria Von Weber and eventually joined the Royal Orchestra. He began work on cavalry marches and composed several marches for the German Army. By 1838 he was the civilian instructor of military bands of Berlin. Several of his marches and compositions are in the repertoire of today's bands in Europe. He is said to have transcribed all of the symphonies of Beethoven for military band and several pieces of Mozart. He gained international prominence in1867 by winning first prize at the celebrated Paris Band Festival. His futuristic approach to band music and his conducting style was brought to the attention of composers, Franz Liszt, Giaccomo Meyerbeer and Gasparo Spontini who admired both his bands and his novel symphonic conducting style. His marches Dessauer, Parade march and the Festival of the White Rose remain as a testament to his compositional technique and his knowledge of band scoring.
Willcocks, George Henry b 1899 d 1962 He joined the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers as a bandsman Bb Cornet and later was transferred to the 1st Battalion. In 1920 he was selected for training at Kneller hall and on graduation in 1924 become the bandmaster of the 2nd battalion South Wales Borderers. In 1937 he was selected as bandmaster of the Royal Artillery band at Salisbury Plain. In 1938 he was appointed Director of Music of the Irish Guards band and received his Queen's Commission. He retired from service in 1949 and became closely associated with the British Brass band movement. The most well known of his marches include the Youth Triumphant and the Spirit of Freedom March.
Winterbottom, Frank b 1861 d 1930 His transcriptions and arrangements of works for military and concert band remain as a shining example of works for band. He began his musical career on cello and after a short career in several residential orchestras he was appointed professor of music at Dulwich College in England. In 1890 he joined the Royal Marine band service and was appointed Director of Music of the Royal Marine band at Chatham. He remained in this position until 1910 when he was appointed instructor of band instruments at Kneller hall. Over 300 of his works were published by Boosey or Chappell. His Transcription of Capriccio Espagnol and hundreds of other arrangements remain as a tribute to his enormous ability in the field of band scoring.
Wornes, William Thomas (Major) b 1940 He started his career with the British army as a Band-boy studying the Flute. He attended the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall and studied under R. J. Boddington. He emigrated to Canada in 1964 as a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons Band. He performed as principal Flute for the New Brunswick Symphony Orchestra and toured frequently with the New Brunswick Woodwind Quintet. He served subsequently with the Vimy Band under Capt. Ken Moore and The Royal Canadian Artillery band under Major Charles Villeneuve. He was selected for training as a Director of Music in 1979 and after extensive training, was commissioned as Director of Music in 1980. He served as a training officer at the Canadian Forces School of Music and promoted to Captain. In 1984 he took over the Vimy Band as Director and later, the Artillery Band. He was promoted to Major in 1990 and appointed Commandant of the Canadian Forces School of Music. After retirement in 1992, he served for a further three years as Inspector of all Reserve Force bands across Canada.
Y. Young, Alfred b 1900 d 1975.Born in England he began studies of piano with his father. At age six he began violin lessons and became part of the music scene in Colchester, England. At age 13 in 1913 he enlisted in the army as an under age member of the Durham Light Infantry. In 1919 he went with his band to Russia as part of the Russian Expeditionary Force. His playing skills were very much in demand and he was a featured performer in concerts by the Durham Light Infantry band .In 1921 his unit was transferred to India. He studied for the entrance examination to the Royal Military School of Music and in 1924 he was accepted for bandmaster training . He graduated in 1927 and was appointed as bandmaster of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry band . He remained with this band until 1938 until he was appointed the first bandmaster of the Royal Army Service Corps band . he held this post until 1942 touring widely and giving numerous concerts. He was appointed director of music of the Royal Engineers band in 1942 and while on tour with the band in 1944 contracted malaria. He retired and eventually became the professor of instrumentation at Kneller Hall from 1959 to 1966. He is still considered to have been one of most underrated composer in Britain. During the war he wrote directed and arranged the highly successful radio and life concert series "Band Review", "Calling all Services" and "Stars in Battledress". He composed a considerable amount of music during his lifetime including well known marches such as Boots and Saddles, Sovereign's Escort and the superb march the Matador. He also composed under the pseudonym Earl Brigham.
Zaverthal Laislaus b 1849 d 1942 He was Italian by birth and studied at the Conservatory of Milan. He made his first appearance as a conductor in Milan and following this appearance he was selected as the conductor of the Milan Theatre Orchestra. In 1865 he emigrated to Scotland settling in Glasgow. He became the civilian director of the 11th Foot Regiment in 1872 and in 1881 he was appointed the director of the Royal Artillery band . He remained in this post until 1907. His work with the Artillery band and orchestra gained him international plaudits. His concerts became the highlight of the London concert season. He was one of the first conductors in Britain to take the music of the military band to the people when he began to play outdoor concerts in the summer months in the sea-side cities. His work gained him recognition by British Royalty and he received numerous awards including the Victorian Order of Britain. He was one of the first military band directors to require that musicians have a dual skill in both military band and orchestral instruments thus making the organization of the Artillery band very versatile. The most well known of his works for band included the stirring grand march Queen Victoria and the 76th Italian Regiment march.
Zehle, Wilhelm b 1876 d 1956 Born in what was known as Prussia he began music studies in Magdeburg in 1895 at age nineteen. He eventually joined the Royal German Mobile 2nd Sea battalion at Wilhelmshaven as a military bandsman. He was very talented cornet and trumpet player and soon became the band soloist. In 1900 his battalion was ordered to China to help quell the boxer rebellion and was part of the joint invasion forces from Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. Shortly before sailing the band leader became ill and Zehle was appointed in his place . Following his service in China he began writing the suite "Sounds of Peking": which was later published. On his return to Germany he resumed his role as solo trumpet, He left military service in 1903 taking the position of Administrator at the Civil Port Authority in Wilhelmshaven. He won the prestigious march composition contest sponsored by Hawkes and Son with the march Viscount Nelson in 1900, Army and marine in 1901, Wellington in 1906 and Trafalgar in 1908.He had a great influence on future composers with his strong melodic and harmonic structure of his marches. He was an enormous talent and his marches are still performed around the world. The Wellington march is considered his tour de Force in marches. Many of his marches are still being recorded by major bands world wide.
Zita, Frantisek b 1880 d 1946 Born in Austria he joined the military service as a band boy with the 3rd Bosnian Infantry Regiment. He was able to learn several instruments including violin, tenor horn and euphonium. The band conductor at this time was the eminent composer Franz Lehar. On Lehar's recommendation he was accepted into the Budapest Musical Academy. In 1902 he became the Drum Major of the Infantry Regiment 97 band at Trieste. In 1911 he became the band leader. His most famous period was from 1919 to 1921 when he led the 2nd garrison band and the Infantry Regiment 43rd band at Brno (1921-36). He was a very proficient conductor and he helped to raise the standard of his bands by introducing symphonic and operatic transcriptions into his repertoire. He retired in 1936 and left behind 11 works for band. He wrote eight marches for band some of which are still being performed in Hungary today.
Zimmerman, Charles A b 1862 d 1916 He had a long and distinguished career as bandmaster at the US Naval Academy from 1887 until 1916. He is best remembered for the march Anchors Aweigh. He began musical studies with his father who was a musician in the Naval Academy band. At age 20 he attended the Peabody Institution, Baltimore majoring in instrumental music, becoming a skilled pianist and learning several instruments. He became leader on the Naval Academy band in 1887. He gained national recognition by leading the Academy band orchestra and was offered the post of director of the US Marines band when Sousa retired in 1892. He remained a beloved campus figure at the Academy until his death in 1916.