George Dallas Sherman
Encyclopedia
George Dallas Sherman was born in Richmond, Vermont
on August 23, 1844 to Hathaway and Relief Sherman. In 1858, at the age of 14, he joined the Richmond Cornet Band and soon became its leader. He left this band in 1864 to join the 9th Vermont Infantry
as a musician during the American Civil War
. After the war he came to live in Winooski
, where he married Mary A. Thompson and became a band teacher.
In 1878 he organized, with much coaxing from the citizens of Burlington
, Sherman's Military Band
, made up of musicians from the dormant Queen City Band. This band came to be well known all over the East as one of the finest touring Military Bands
.
After Sherman retired from the band in 1917, the group became known as the Burlington Military Band
under the exceptional directorship of Dr. Joseph Lechnyr, a renowned and influential Vermont musician. George continued to live on Sherman street (which many erroneously believe to be named after him) until November 3, 1927 (as many will recognize as the date of the great flood). On that day, while crossing the street near his home at the corner of Sherman and Battery Street (on the park side of Battery St.) at the age of 83, he was struck by a car and died two hours later of multiple lacerations and a fractured skull. His funeral was attended by Grand Army of the Republic
comrades, and the Masonic Ritual
was held at his graveside. He left three children at the time of his death.
Although Sherman is well remembered as one of the first leaders of what is known today as the Burlington Concert Band
, he is also remembered for his fine marches, some of which were used by John Philip Sousa
in his concert tours. A complete list of his compositions follows. The Burlington Concert Band has only three of Sherman's pieces, as many were lost in a fire in the same year as his death.
, Jan 26th 1888
Published by Jean Missud of Salem, Massachusetts
Listed in the Daily Free Press
, March 28 1891
Published by Oliver Ditson & Co.
Listed in the Daily Free Press
, March 31 1892
Listed in the Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music Vol II, October 1991
Richmond, Vermont
Richmond is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The 2000 census revealed a population of 4,090.Local students attend Mount Mansfield Union High School, Camel's Hump Middle School, And Richmond Elementary School. Mount Mansfield Union High is in the neighboring town of Jericho...
on August 23, 1844 to Hathaway and Relief Sherman. In 1858, at the age of 14, he joined the Richmond Cornet Band and soon became its leader. He left this band in 1864 to join the 9th Vermont Infantry
9th Vermont Infantry
The 9th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a three years' infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the Eastern Theater, from July 1862 to December 1865...
as a musician during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After the war he came to live in Winooski
Winooski, Vermont
Winooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
, where he married Mary A. Thompson and became a band teacher.
In 1878 he organized, with much coaxing from the citizens of Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, Sherman's Military Band
Burlington Concert Band
This article refers to the Burlington Concert Band located in Burlington, Vermont, USA. There is also another located in Burlingon, Ontario, Canada....
, made up of musicians from the dormant Queen City Band. This band came to be well known all over the East as one of the finest touring Military Bands
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
.
Burlington Concert Band
This article refers to the Burlington Concert Band located in Burlington, Vermont, USA. There is also another located in Burlingon, Ontario, Canada....
under the exceptional directorship of Dr. Joseph Lechnyr, a renowned and influential Vermont musician. George continued to live on Sherman street (which many erroneously believe to be named after him) until November 3, 1927 (as many will recognize as the date of the great flood). On that day, while crossing the street near his home at the corner of Sherman and Battery Street (on the park side of Battery St.) at the age of 83, he was struck by a car and died two hours later of multiple lacerations and a fractured skull. His funeral was attended by Grand Army of the Republic
Grand Army of the Republic
The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
comrades, and the Masonic Ritual
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
was held at his graveside. He left three children at the time of his death.
Although Sherman is well remembered as one of the first leaders of what is known today as the Burlington Concert Band
Burlington Concert Band
This article refers to the Burlington Concert Band located in Burlington, Vermont, USA. There is also another located in Burlingon, Ontario, Canada....
, he is also remembered for his fine marches, some of which were used by John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
in his concert tours. A complete list of his compositions follows. The Burlington Concert Band has only three of Sherman's pieces, as many were lost in a fire in the same year as his death.
Marches
Listed in the Daily Free PressBurlington Free Press
The Burlington Free Press is a daily newspaper based in Burlington, Vermont, in the United States. With a circulation of about 48,042 daily and 56,295 Sundays, it is the most circulated paper in Vermont....
, Jan 26th 1888
- Salute To Burlington
- Free Press March
- Stannard Post March
Published by Jean Missud of Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
Listed in the Daily Free Press
Burlington Free Press
The Burlington Free Press is a daily newspaper based in Burlington, Vermont, in the United States. With a circulation of about 48,042 daily and 56,295 Sundays, it is the most circulated paper in Vermont....
, March 28 1891
- Rock Point Cadets
- The Watchman
- The Independent
Published by Oliver Ditson & Co.
Listed in the Daily Free Press
Burlington Free Press
The Burlington Free Press is a daily newspaper based in Burlington, Vermont, in the United States. With a circulation of about 48,042 daily and 56,295 Sundays, it is the most circulated paper in Vermont....
, March 31 1892
- General William Wells
- General William Greenleaf
- Vermont University
- Cecilian March dedicated to the Ladies Quartette of St. Johnsbury
- The Belle of America (listed as "American Belle" HEBM V.II) Seitz 1893
- Sherman Military Band
Listed in the Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music Vol II, October 1991
- American Union (Coleman, 1894)
- The Body Guard (John Church Co, 1903)
- the Brownie's Reception (Church, 1895)
- Burlington Commandery K.T. [Knights Templar](Gay, 1893)
- Cavalcade (Church, 1895)
- Coleman's March (Coleman, 1893)
- Evangeline (Seitz, 1893)
- The Floral Ball (Church, 1896)
- The Herald (Missud, 1889)
- Hero's Command (Church, 1895)
- Hope Beyond, dirge (Church, 1895)
- Invitation to the Wedding (Coleman, 1894)
- The King's Daughters, grand march (Church, 1895)
- The Millionaires (Church, 1896)
- Olive Branch (Barnhouse, 1907)
- Pilot (Missud, 1888)
- Prima Donna (Gay 1893)
- Remembrance of Stave Island (Church, 1895)
- St. Valentine (Church, 1896)
- The Stranger (Coleman, 1894)
- Vermont National Guards (Coleman, 1894)
- With Majesty (Colena, 1893)
Non Marches
- Algonquin Overture (Church, 1897)
- Cupid's Captive, waltz (Church, 1895)
- Dance of the Flower Girl (Coleman, 1895)
- Fleur de Luce, schottische (Church, 1898)
- Message of Love Waltz (Coleman, 1893)
- Rainbow Mazurka (Barnhouse, 1895)
- Scamper Galop (Coleman, 1894)