Heritage Brass Band Music History Page

A bit of the history behind Jerry Goldsmith and the "Patton March."

“Patton March” This iconic march originated from film music composed by Jerry Goldsmith (1929 – 2004) for the 1970 release of the film “Patton.” He was a pianist and studied music as a young man…

Composer Earle Hagen and "Harlem Nocturne" - chances are, he composed the music for a film or television show you watched.

https://heritagebrassband.com/2022/03/03/earle-harry-hagen-the-greatest-composer-nobody-ever-heard-of/

Harry James and his circus band connection:

Harry James and Circus Bands 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 ci…

Excellent interview podcast - Early American Brass Band Podcast interviews Jari Villanueva. History of Taps, about 22 minutes in.

The Early American Brass Band Podcast - 6 - Interview with Jari Villanueva: Federal City Brass Band and the History of Taps | RSS Podcasting | RSS.com Podcasting Episode 6 is a fantastic interview with Jari Villanueva, former trumpeter with the United States Air Force Band. Jari is heavily involved in all things related to 19th century American Brass Band, most notably with researching the history of Taps, and performing and arranging for the Federal City Br...

We have performed the Navy Hymn many times. This is a short history of the hymn.

Navy Hymn 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, h…

What melody did the Mexican Army play at the Alamo? https://heritagebrassband.com/2021/03/13/el-deguello-el-daguello/

Frank W. Meacham - composer of American Patrol:

Frank W. Meacham 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& #8217…

Composer/Conductor Josef Franz Wagner:

Josef Franz Wagner Wagner was the composer of a well known march called “Under the Double Eagle” in 1893. It has been so often performed by bands over the years that it may be assumed by American listener…

Brothers of John Philip Sousa -

Brothers of John Philip Sousa Antony August Sousa (1868-1918) – He went by the nickname “Tony” and was known as an athlete, composer, author, poet and newspaperman among his other talents. At the time of his d…

Start the new year off right with a little march music by R. B. Hall. About the composer -

Robert Browne Hall Most often known simply as R. B. Hall, this composer lived most of his life in Maine. He was born in 1858 and died in 1907. He was born in Bowdoinham, ME to Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel W. Hall. Robert t…

Polka (Brass) Bands in America:

Prost! Round Top Brass Band Keeps German-Texas Beat First a description: brass bands consist of mainly trumpets, cornets, trombones, various other brass instruments, and use a sousaphone or tuba for the bass rhythm that the others play around.