- Karl King
Karl L. King (
21 February ,1891 –31 March ,1971 ) was aUnited States march music bandmaster andcomposer . Karl Lawrence King, a native ofPaintersville, Ohio , grew up as a self-taughtmusician with very little schooling of any kind. At eighteen, he began a career playing in and directing circus bands, including those ofBarnum and Bailey ,Robinson Famous Shows , theSells-Floto Circus , andBuffalo Bill's Wild West Show . King settled down inFort Dodge, Iowa in 1920 and for the next fifty-one years conducted the city's municipal band.King the composer published more than 300 works: galops,
waltz es,overture s,serenade s, rags, and 188 marches and screamers. He seemed to like composing under pressure and often composed in tight spots (such as by oil lamp in cramped circus tents). His name appeared on the sheet music as Karl King, K. L. King, and sometimes Carl Lawrence."
Barnum and Bailey's Favorite " remains his best known circus march, but other pieces that retain their popularity among fans of band music include:*"Bunker Hill"
*"Liberty Fleet"
*"The Purple Pageant"
*"Garland Entrée"
*"The Melody Shop "
*"Robinson's Grand Entrée"
*"Invictus"
*"Hosts of Freedom"
*"United Nations"
*"The New Madison Square Garden"
*"Woody Van's"
*"Cyrus The Great"
*"The Big Cage"
*"Valley Forge"
*"Emblem of Freedom"
*"The Royal Scotch Highlanders"
*"The Viking March"
*"The Walking Frog"
*"Peacemaker"
*"Circus Days"
*"Rough Riders"
*"Trombone King"
*"Flying Cadets"
*"Homestretch Gallop"
*"The Desert Patrol"
*"Freedom City"
*"Fidelity"
*"Big Four"
*"Miss Liberty"
*"General Lee"External links
* [http://www.karlking.us/ Karl King Page] Biographical info plus photos and music
* [http://www.barnhouse.com/composers.php?id=141 Karl King page at C. L. Barnhouse Co.] Biographical info plus listing of works
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