Lancaster's Music Heritage
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Sometime in the spring of 2005, Lancaster resident and composer John Bosserman brought an old manuscript orchestra score to the Lancaster Festival office. Little did we realize that over the next year, a search to learn about that score would lead in many directions, and we would uncover many amazing, sometimes unexpected, connections between Lancaster artists and musicians with people around the world. The search for answers led to a partnership between the Lancaster Festival and the Fairfield Heritage Association, and culminated in the exhibition “Early Art and Music – Lancaster’s Legacy” held in the Goslin Room of The Georgian during the 2006 Festival.
The exhibit is no longer open at the Georgian Museum, but is now available for viewing on-line.
Directions: The on-line exhibit is best viewed with Internet Explorer, set to display frames, with a screen resolution of 1024x768 or higher. A higher than dial-up speed internet connection is reccommended.
ENTER THE EXHIBIT
The project is centered on the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and it’s conductor, Jacob H Zimpfer. The orchestra was established in 1910, and gave several concerts each year at the Civic Auditorium which once existed in City Hall. Mr. Zimpfer, who studied music at the New England Conservatory in Boston, also wrote several works for the orchestra. At the same time, Zimpfer played trombone in the Lancaster Mechanics Band, which was known throughout the state of Ohio. Another individual in Lancaster, Dr. Gabriel Miesse, Jr., wrote a piano March dedicated to the Mechanics Band in 1905. A patron of the orchestra and concert pianist Jacob Keller Kirn, Sr. also wrote music for the piano.
We are interested in learning more about the Symphony Orchestra, the Mechanics Band and anyone who might have been a musician with either group. We would also like to locate any compositions by either Zimpfer, Miesse, or Kirn, or any other individuals who were writing music in Lancaster between 1900 and 1940.
If you have any information, please contact us. Phone: 740-687-4808
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The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
ca. 1915
Read more about the Orchestra
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Left to right, 1st row: Mildred Proxmire, Priscilla Whiley,, Dr. C C Carter, J H Zimpfer, John Fox, unknown, George Ewing.
2nd Row George Tannehill, George Ballenger, Bert Older, Francis Kiener, Frank Getz, Paul Sexauer, Paul Weiland.
3rd Row Tom Cannon, Dr. George O Beery, unknown, Dr. John Stukey, J O James, Roderick Shaw, Charles Proxmire, Frank Hickman, George Rabe, Bert Raybourne.
Back Row William Hankinson, George Wyman, William Sears, William Todhunter, Thomas Wright, Ed Dum
Photo Source: Marjorie Allen, Grand-Neice of C C Carter
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Jacob H Zimpfer
Photo courtesy of George Zimpfer
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Jacob Zimpfer Biographical Info
"Mr. Zempher was educated at the conservatory of music at Boston in which city he conducted a symphony orchestra several years. He then moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he played professionally for a time and has been in Lancaster about two years where he conducts a collecting agency. He is also a very fine trombone player and was elected a member of the Mechanics band at their last meeting by a unanimous vote"
Lancaster Daily Eagle, February 11, 1910
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The Lancaster Mechanics Band
ca. 1900
Read more about the Mechanics Band
OTHER BANDS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT
Lancaster Citizens Band
Anchor Hocking Glassco Band
Bremen Band
Sands Regimental Band
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Left to Right: 1st Row George Wyman, Bert Raybourne.
2nd and 3rd Rows B Rushie, S Urban, N Shockley, D Juttic, C Shockley, J Sears, J proxmire, C Proxmire, E Strokle, B Smith, E Getz, W Wolfe
4th Row J Bletzacker, B Sears, W Todhunter, B Lewis, Ed Kuttic, S Gould
Bold Face indicates dual membership in the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Photo Source: Cover of "Mechanics Band March" by Dr. Gabriel Miesse and Jim/Virginia Sears
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Dr. Gabriel Miesse, Jr.
Photo Source: Cover of 'Grand March Lucille'
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Dr. Miesse's Obituary
Dr. Miesse's Obituary Article
Known Music Published
Known Art Works
Dr. Gabriel MIesse Biographical Info
If you know of any paintings or music created by Dr. Miesse, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us. Phone: 740-687-4808
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