Music From The Archives CD Liner Notes

Music:

Marshall's Military Band Two-Step (Edward Kloepfer) Two-Step marches in 6/8 time were very popular dance pieces in the late 19th Century. Sousa's Washington Post march is the most famous piece of this genre.

Turnverein March (John Bromell Marshall) This untitled piece by John Marshall was found in the Marshall's Band archives. After this new transcription was completed, it was given the title Turnverein March in honor of the German Turnverein clubs that were popular in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The melody of the German tune, The Watch on the Rhine, can be heard at the trio.

Marshall's Band Overture (William M. Van Ness) Originally published for piano in 1886 by the E. B. Guild Co. of Topeka, Kansas, and dedicated to Marshall's Military Band of Topeka.

Abdallah March (Carl Hoffman) This march is dedicated to the Abdallah Shrine of Leavenworth, Kansas. Organized in 1887, Abdallah was the thirtieth Shrine Temple to be chartered, and was the first of the five Shrine Temples to be chartered in Kansas.

Ad Astra Per Aspera (John Bromell Marshall) This untitled piece by John Marshall was found in the Marshall's Band archives. After this new transcription was completed, it was given the title Ad Astra Per Aspera (to the stars through difficulties), which is the state motto of Kansas.

Olympia (John Bromell Marshall) A rousing march in 6/8 time by the founder of Marshall's Band.

The Atchison Globe March (John Bromell Marshall) This march was dedicated to the Atchison Globe newspaper of Atchison, Kansas. Marches dedicated to newspapers were once commonplace in America as newspapers held a position of high regard in most communities. Sousa's Washington Post march is the most famous piece of this genre.

Topeka Elks March (John Bromell Marshall) A march dedicated to the Topeka Loyal Order of Elks.

Euterpe March (William F. Roehr) Originally published for piano in 1898 by the W. F. Roehr Music Co. of Topeka, Kansas, and dedicated to the Euterpe Club of Topeka. Euterpe, one of the nine muses in Greek mythology, is the muse of music and lyric poetry.

The Topeka Daily Capital (John Bromell Marshall) Originally published for piano in 1897 by John Bromell Marshall of Topeka, Kansas, and dedicated to the Topeka Daily Capital newspaper.

Our Flying Squadron March (William M. Van Ness) A very early march presumably dedicated to military use of aircraft. This piece is mentioned in a publication dating from 1908, indicating that Van Ness composed it within five years of the Wright brothers' first successful flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903.

Queen of the Santa Fe (Charles Steinberger) Originally published for piano in 1897 by Carl Hoffman of Kansas City, Missouri, and dedicated to the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company in honor of their Silver Anniversary.

Shunganunga Two Step (Composer Unknown) This untitled and unsigned two-step march was found in the Marshall's Band archives. After this new transcription was completed, it was given the title Shunganunga Two Step after the Shunganunga Creek, which snakes its way through the capital city of Kansas.

Dik Dik (Composer Unknown) A dik dik is a miniature African antelope whose name is probably derived from the sound it makes. This unsigned piece was found in the band archives with an letter, dated 1912, indicating that the composer intended for the band to perform it during an upcoming visit to Topeka, Kansas by former president Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt visited Topeka in the fall of that year during his Bull Moose party campaign for the presidency. Unfortunately, the band never had the opportunity to perform for Mr. Roosevelt as his visit was so brief all such festivities were canceled.

Inter Nos. Two Step (Edward S. Martin) Originally published for piano in 1897 by E. B. Guild of Topeka, Kansas.

Topeka Fall Festival March (William F. Roehr) Originally published for piano in 1896 by the W. F. Roehr Music Co. of Topeka, Kansas.

The Topeka State Journal (John Bromell Marshall) Originally published for piano in 1896 by John Bromell Marshall of Topeka, Kansas, and dedicated to Frank P. MacLennan, owner and publisher of the Topeka State Journal newspaper.

Marshall's Military Band March (John Bromell Marshall) Originally published for piano in 1896 by the W. F. Roehr Music Co. of Topeka, Kansas, and dedicated to John Bromell Marshall, founder and conductor of Marshall's Military Band in Topeka.

Composers:

Carl Hoffman Carl Hoffman was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, December 24, 1847. He received a musical education in his native country before immigrating in 1868 to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In Pittsburgh he became connected with a large music store, and in 1869 he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas where he engaged in the manufacture and sale of musical instruments and music supplies. He was the organist for the Leavenworth Cathedral and the Presbyterian Church. His large factory and store, the Kansas Organ Co., was organized in June, 1882. Mr. Hoffman moved his business to Kansas City around 1894.

Humphrey W. Jones Humphrey W. Jones was born in Pennsylvania of Welsh parents and came to Kansas about 1880. He graduated from Kansas State Agricultural College and spent his career as a teacher, also serving as supervisor of music in the Topeka schools.

Edward Kloepfer No information could be found about this composer.

John Bromell Marshall John Bromell Marshall was born February 2, 1850 in England. He had early become a member of the Queen's Own Guard Band in England and played for Queen Victoria. He immigrated to Canada when he was about sixteen years old and joined the Royal Canadian Grenadier Band. In 1871 he moved to Topeka to become a contractor and builder. He entered civic affairs as a councilman for the First Ward, and later served as Register of Deeds for Shawnee County. In 1884 he formed the First Ward Republican Flambeau Club Band, which was soon to become known as Marshall's Band. Mr. Marshall died August 28, 1910 in Topeka.

Edward S. Martin No information could be found about the composer of this piece.

William F. Roehr William F. Roehr was born May 26, 1863 in Fon du Lac, WI, and moved to Topeka in 1879. He was a music dealer in downtown Topeka for more than thirty years and was the organist at the First Methodist Church for 19 years. He composed and published numerous pieces of piano sheet music. He died August 18, 1936 in Topeka, KS.

Charles Steinberger No information could be found about this composer.

William M. Van Ness W. M. Van Ness was born May 24, 1859 in Eddyville, Iowa, and came to Kansas at the age of twenty-one, settling in North Topeka. He was employed by the E. B. Guild Music Co. for about thirty years and later by Jenkins Music Co. for about two years. He was a charter member of Marshall's Military Band and composed many musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental. He died in 1941 in Topeka.

Arranger:

Darren W. Jenkins The arranger, Darren W. Jenkins of Lawrence, Kansas, has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Washburn University in Topeka and a Masters of Music in Composition from the University of Kansas. Darren is one of the most prolific composer/arrangers in the Midwest, having written nearly 100 original compositions and arrangements to date for a variety of musical ensembles and in a wide range of musical styles.