Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-25
BAND LEADER FOR
HALF A CENTURY
George d. Sherman Completes
Fifty Years at Head of Local
Musical Organization and Gets
Handsome Gift--Is Composer
of Note

George D. Sherman, Burlington's
bandmaster and composer, whose marches
have been played in every town that has
n band in the United States, was made
happy Thursday by the presentation of
a handsome reclining chair by the mem
bers of Sherman's band In appreciation
of the completion of 90 years of active
work in leadership Of the band in this
city and Winooski. Mr.. Sherman has
much more than half a century of work
in the musical work behind him and he
has worked at the head of n band for
more than that period. Thursday found
him in excellent health with many man.
uscripts of good things to come In the
musical line awaiting publication.
Mr.. Sherman's music is known where
Burlington and the Sherman band have
never been heard of. and in an advertis.
ing matter of the big John Church Pub
fishing house is statement which as
sorts the fact that, with pride, this house
has secured the exclusive output of
Sousa, Sherman Reeves and others OF
Americas greatest march composers.
Mr.. Sherman began his career in the
Jericho band when about II years of age,
on1 1T that time was entrusted with the
cynlbals by Rollin NJ. Clapp. leader of that
band Soon he grew proficient on the
tenor horn, which had an important part
in the days before trombones were com
mon. He distinguished himself by play
ing the part as it had never been played
before In the band and he was only Is
years of age then. When war broke out
he stepped into the leadership of the
band although still too young to go to
war. Afterwards he went to the front,
but they learned there that he was n
musician and he was placed in the band
\ half century ago, Mr.. Sherman took
the leadership of the Sherman band in
Winooski. The band of that day was
handsomely equipped and had for men
Col w. u. Munson. DR.. G.. #. Storrs
Morris and Richard Goodwin, James Ed
wards, George Allen, Charles Devino,
William Linsley. William Devino and E.
T. Allard the latter the only surviving
member with the exception of Mr.. Sher-
man. The uniform was q handsome af-
fair with blue cutaway coat, ld-plated
buttons and cords, epaulets, and gold
cord with elaborate caps. The trousers
We're of light blue.
Seven years later the band came to
Burlington, where it has played every
year since Several of the Winooski men
came with it and some of the Sherman
world. The band grew IN fame until it
took part in celebrations in all parts of
the country. Among the musicians best
known are: Liberatti, called the worlds
greatest cornetist; Harry Whittier, who
went with Patsy Cilmore's band when 1t
was at its best and played the baritone
Daniel Callihan, who went to the from t
with the tuba, and many others.
The band had at first its headquarters
on St Paul street, nearly opposite the
Baptist Church, then moved into the
Berry-Hall block on College street and is
now in the Hayward block on Main
street.
In addition to leading and making Sher-
mans band, Mr.. Sherman has made many
other bands, including the Hnesburg
silver band, the only one in the State
at that time to have nothing but silver
plated instruments. Among the musicians
whom he trained at that time are John
s. Patrick of this city, David and Daniel
Patrick, Harmon Beecher. William and
George Leonard and George Allen, many
of whom are now dead.
Mr.. sherman sold his first march when
about 20 years of age and since then he
has sold many hundreds. One of the best
known, the Salute to Burlington" sold
sands of dollars for the publishers. The
famous Midland band won the large purse
at the Mardi Gras celebration in Denver
only recently when it played this piece
and William Tell. Several times Mr.. Sher-
man has heard great bands go tramping
down the street, playing this and others
of his march. while his own little band
waited in a side street for it's place in the
parade.
! It's hard thing to win a way in the
musical world, but Mr.. Sherman now
receives many letters from the leading
publishers asking for his works. In the
old days he was pretty glad when he
could sell march for s25 1t was about
this price which The Princess sold for
The Governor. The Pilot. Burlington
Cadets, Vermont University and the
Mastodon are other pieces which have
won fame over the country. march
dedicated to the Free Press has been
played by every circus band in the coun.
try and was heard in Burlington only a
short time ago when only the band boys
recognized 1t.
! Nh Shermans music has gone far
south of Mason and Dxon's hne and al
interesting occasion was when the mos,
famous amateur band in the south. Stone.
wallis band of Virginia, asked him tc
dedicate a march for them for the open.
ing of their season. This was Stonewal
Jackson's own brigade band but the fac
that Mr.. sherman was on the other side
during the war did not prevent them from
asking the favor or him from granting
1t. The balD 1rried this famous piece
wherever i, and that was to the
far south. ., had a great sale
among southc euds
In addition 10 marches, Mr. Sherman
has composed some famous oyertures
among them being the Algonquin Club. II
the days when lie began to compose music
there were nowhere near so many in,
struments as now and when he was II
the Jericho band he had to write. mo-