Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 21, 1891 in Paintersville, OH

Death

:

March 31, 1971 in Fort Dodge, IA

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Karl L. King was a renowned American composer and conductor who is best known for his contributions to the world of circus music. Born on February 21, 1891, in Paintersville, Ohio, King was the son of a farmer and a schoolteacher. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the cornet and his mother playing the piano. King began playing the cornet at a young age and quickly showed a natural talent for music. King's family moved to Canton, Ohio, when he was a teenager, and he began playing in local bands and orchestras. He also studied music at the Dana Musical Institute in Warren, Ohio. In 1910, King joined the Barnum and Bailey Circus as a cornet player, and he spent the next several years touring with the circus. During this time, he also began composing music for the circus, and his first published composition, "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite," was released in 1913. In 1917, King left the circus and joined the United States Army, where he served as a bandmaster during World War I. After the war, he returned to Ohio and began working as a freelance composer and arranger. He also conducted several local bands and orchestras, including the Canton Concert Band and the Fort Dodge Municipal Band in Iowa. In 1920, King moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to become the conductor of the Fort Dodge Municipal Band. He held this position for the next 50 years, and during his tenure, he transformed the band into one of the finest in the country. King's compositions and arrangements became a staple of the band's repertoire, and he continued to write music for the circus as well. King's most famous composition is "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite," which he wrote while he was still a member of the circus. The piece is a march that features a catchy melody and a driving rhythm, and it quickly became a favorite of circus bands around the world. King also wrote several other popular circus marches, including "The Big Cage," "The Billboard," and "The Melody Shop." In addition to his circus music, King wrote a wide variety of other compositions, including overtures, suites, and concert pieces. Many of these works were inspired by his experiences in the military, and they often feature bold, brassy melodies and stirring rhythms. Some of his most famous non-circus works include "The Viking," "The Black Horse Troop," and "The Gallant Seventh." King was also a prolific arranger, and he created hundreds of arrangements of popular songs and classical works. His arrangements were known for their skillful use of instrumentation and their ability to capture the essence of the original piece while adding a new twist. Throughout his career, King was recognized as one of the leading composers and conductors of his time. He received numerous awards and honors, including induction into the American Bandmasters Association in 1932 and the Iowa Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1970. He also served as the president of the American Bandmasters Association from 1948 to 1949. King continued to compose and conduct until his death on March 31, 1971, at the age of 80. His legacy lives on through his music, which is still performed by bands and orchestras around the world. His contributions to the world of circus music have earned him a place in history as one of the greatest composers of his time.

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