Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 3, 1881 in Cincinnati, OH

Death

:

December 7, 1956 in Miami, FL

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Chamber

 

Henry Fillmore was an American composer and bandleader who was born on December 3, 1881, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of James Henry Fillmore, a prominent composer and publisher of religious music, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth. Henry Fillmore grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano and cornet at a young age. He was also exposed to the music of John Philip Sousa, which would later influence his own compositions. Fillmore attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and later studied at the College of Music in Cincinnati. He also played in his father's band, the Fillmore Brothers Band, which performed at local events and fairs. In 1905, Fillmore moved to Miami, Florida, where he became the director of the Miami Military Band. He also played in the band and composed music for it. Fillmore's compositions were influenced by his experiences in the military band and his exposure to the music of Sousa. He wrote marches, waltzes, and other pieces for band, many of which became popular and are still performed today. Some of his most famous works include "The Klaxon," "Lassus Trombone," and "The Circus Bee." Fillmore was also known for his sense of humor and his ability to entertain audiences. He often included humorous elements in his compositions, such as animal sounds and unusual instruments. He also wrote pieces that were meant to be played while marching, such as "The Footlifter" and "The President's March." In addition to his work as a composer, Fillmore was also a bandleader and conductor. He led several bands throughout his career, including the Miami Military Band, the American Band of Providence, and the Shrine Band. He also conducted the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Fillmore's contributions to the world of music were recognized during his lifetime. He was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in 1935 and was awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 1976. He died on December 7, 1956, in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 75. Today, Fillmore's music continues to be performed by bands around the world. His compositions are known for their catchy melodies, lively rhythms, and entertaining elements. They are a testament to his talent as a composer and his love for music.

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