By Jay Kahn (WJU #583) –
Years ago, either Duane Olson (WJU #945) or Nancy Olson (WJU #1905) gave me a CD that I treasure. It has the only recording I know of “Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite” that is conducted by Karl King himself. I am taken by two aspects of this recording:
1) It’s a lot more…uh…”brisk” than I anticipated.
2) You can clearly hear the bass drum accents in the trio that Andy Glover (WJU #423) always emphasizes.
Mr. King doesn’t say anything, but true to form, Henry Fillmore can’t resist telling stories. So you’ll hear the voices of L.D. Watters (announcer), Sigurd Rasher (alto saxophone soloist), and Henry Fillmore. Every one of these men were Iowa legends if not nationally famous. These mp3 files are from a CD that was a digital transfer from a reel-to-reel tape. It is a recording of radio WHO’s broadcast of the Iowa Bandmasters Association “Directors Band” that played at the 1951 convention in Des Moines. Get a load of program, and especially the slate of conductors:
1. Americans We – conductor Alonzo Leach; composed by Henry Fillmore
2. The Footlifter – conductor Robert Bagley (Pres. Iowa BA); composed by Henry Fillmore
3. Si Trocadero – composer & conductor Harold Walters
4. Valiant Sons – conductor Ken Carpenter (Incoming Pres. Iowa BA); composed by H.A. VanderCook
5. Invercargill – conductor Carlton Stewart; composed by Alex Lithgow
6. King Henry – composer & conductor Karl King
7. Men of Ohio – composer & conductor Henry Fillmore
8. Men of Florida – composer & conductor Henry Fillmore
9. Intro & Samba – conductor Frank Piersol (Dir. Iowa State Univ. Bands); composed by Maurice Whitney; alto saxophone soloist Sigurd Rascher.
10. Rumba – conductor Frank Piersol, composed by Maurice Whitney; Sigurd Rascher, alto sax soloist
11. Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite– composer & conductor Karl King
12. Military Escort – conductor Henry Fillmore; composed by Harold Bennett (aka Henry Fillmore)
13. Military Escort in 5 ways – conductor Henry Fillmore
14. Shoutin’ Liza Trombone – composer & conductor Henry Fillmore
15. Light Cavalry Overture – arranger & conductor Henry Fillmore
WHO (1040 kHz “Newsradio 1040”) is a commercial AM radio station in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The station is owned by iHeartMedia.
Highlights of the 1951 Convention/Events
- Tribute to Karl L. King: A major event was the surprise testimonial dinner held for Karl King, a founding member of the IBA and a prominent composer.
- Notable Attendees: Approximately 250 friends, colleagues, and state officials attended the dinner, including:
- Governor William S. Beardsley
- Congressman James Dolliver (presided over the event)
- Prominent national band directors, including Glenn Cliffe Bainum, Albert Austin Harding, Paul V. Yoder, and William H. Santelmann
- Awards and Gifts: During the dinner, King was presented with:
- A plaque from Governor Beardsley, proclaiming him the “foremost composer of band music and an inspiration to millions of young musicians”.
- A new Buick Roadmaster sedan from friends and Fort Dodge businessmen.
- A pup descended from the famous dog Lassie, presented by movie producer Jesse Lasky.
- Legislative Discussion: The IBA also discussed a bill in the Iowa Legislature related to the Iowa Band Law, which allowed communities to use a local tax to support municipal bands. Major Landers, an honorary life president of the IBA and the “father of the Iowa band law”, met with the Governor to discuss the proposed amendment.