00:00
Karl Lawrence King

Karl Lawrence King composer / arranger

date of birth: 21.02.1891
date of death: 31.03.1971

Karl Lawrence King was born February 21, 1891 in Paintersville, Ohio. His family moved to Xenia a short time later, and around the turn of the century, the King family moved to Canton, where young Karl would begin to develop an interest in bands and music. After receiving some instruction on the cornet, King switched to baritone. His first band experience was with the Thayer Military Band of Canton, while in his teens. In 1909 King spent some time as a member of bands in Columbus and also Danville, Illinois. While a member of these bands, King began to compose marches and other works. Beginning in 1910, King began a decade-long career as a circus musician, spending one season each as a baritone player in the bands of Robinson’s Famous Circus, Yankee Robinson Circus, Sells Floto Circus, and the Barnum and Bailey “Greatest Show On Earth.” He continued to write music while a member of these bands, and in 1913 wrote what would become his masterpiece, “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite.”

In 1914 King accepted the position as bandleader on the Sells Floto/Buffalo Bill Combined Shows, a position he would hold for three seasons. In 1917 and 1918 he returned to the Barnum and Bailey Circus band, this time as its leader and conductor. Recently married and intent upon settling down, King ended his circus “trouping days” and returned to Canton in 1919, where he led the Grand Army Band. In 1920 King relocated to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he assumed leadership of the municipal band and operated his own publishing company, the K. L. King Music House. During his tenure, the Fort Dodge band gained national recognition, and King became a beloved member of the community as well as a band musician of national and international repute. Among many honors bestowed upon King was membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He served as ABA President in 1938 and was later named an Honorary Life President. He lived in Fort Dodge for the remainder of his life, passing away on March 31, 1971. His Fort Dodge band was subsequently renamed the “Karl L. King Municipal Band” in his honor. On October 22, 2006, a life-sized bronze statue of Mr. King was unveiled on the city square in Fort Dodge, as a testament and monument to the city's most famous musician and citizen.

As a composer, King was one of the most prolific and popular in the history of band music. He composed at least 291 works, including 185 marches, 22 overtures, 12 galops, 29 waltzes, and works in many other styles. Not only did he compose some of the most brilliant and famous marches for experienced bands at the professional and university levels; he also displayed a remarkable ability to compose first-rate music for younger, less experienced musicians and bands. His music continues to be performed worldwide by bands of all experience levels.

main category

category

difficulty

composer

arranger

publisher

play all titles of this page
The Troubador March - Karl Lawrence King

The Troubador March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Alcazar March - Karl Lawrence King

Alcazar March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Niagara Maid March - Karl Lawrence King

Niagara Maid March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Mercury March - Karl Lawrence King

Mercury March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
The Discriminator March - Karl Lawrence King

The Discriminator March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Sells - Floto Triumphal March - Karl Lawrence King

Sells - Floto Triumphal March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Gypsy Queen Overture - Karl Lawrence King

Gypsy Queen Overture

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
On A Summer's Eve Reverie - Karl Lawrence King

On A Summer's Eve Reverie

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Emporia Galop - Karl Lawrence King

Emporia Galop

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Sunshine Galop - Karl Lawrence King

Sunshine Galop

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Barnum and Bailey's Favorite March - Karl Lawrence King
inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Howdy Pap March - Karl Lawrence King

Howdy Pap March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
The Mystic Call March - Karl Lawrence King

The Mystic Call March

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Spirit of Springtime Waltz - Karl Lawrence King

Spirit of Springtime Waltz

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Remembrance Dirge - Karl Lawrence King

Remembrance Dirge

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Homestretch Galop - Karl Lawrence King

Homestretch Galop

Karl Lawrence King

inc. tax
plus shipping
62,50 €
Rev. 4.118 - Time: 71 ms | SQL: -1 ms