Betty Glover, pioneering trombonist, inspiring teacher and conductor, has passed. Ms. Glover was a faculty member of the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati for 40 years from 1952-1992 and served as the conductor of the Brass Choir at CCM from 1969-1992. She performed as the Bass Trombone and Tenor Tuba player …
The Ladies of the Band World. World-Class cornet soloist Alice Raymond. Solo Cornetist of the Innes Band, toured extensively in vaudeville as the world’s greatest woman cornetist. Active from the 1880’s into the 20th-century. She was a Conn “Wonder” artist.
“The Parisian Red Heads” All-Girl Flapper Band. (Recording in the comments). (1920’s)
Helen (Mrs. Wm. Howard) Taft was the founder of the Cincinnati Symphony and was elected president from her position on the board of directors. Her responsibilities included auditioning, contract negotiations with conductors and musicians, subscription sales, rental of performance hall, fundraising, presiding at board and stockholder meetings, signing all contracts and stock certificates, community outreach, educational programming, delivering an annual report. A fine pianist, Taft said “I found, at last, a practical method for expressing and making use of my love and knowledge of music.” She did all this while raising her three children essentially alone, since Taft was largely away from home as circuit court judge.
5 Sousa solo cornetists. (l-r) Eugene La Barre, John Dolan, Herbert L. Clarke, Del Staigers, Ernest Williams—plus Leona May Smith–who was also a very fine cornetist. (about 1940)
The Ladies Band of White City, Kansas. Alfred W. Musgrave (1874-1947), Leader. His wife, Mamie (1877-1975) is the tuba player, back row, far left
Helen May Butler (1867-1957)- “The Female Sousa.” Conductor, cornetist, and composer. She lead the HMB Ladies Military Band for many years and composed the official march for Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential campaign. A pioneer.
