Known as the "Toscanini of the Big Top," Merle Evans was a cornet player who conducted the band of the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus for 50 years. In 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, a fire started while the circus was performing. Reportedly, Evans was the first to see the fire and had the band begin playing the “Stars and Stripes Forever,” known in the circus world as disaster march used to signal circus personnel that there is a fire. The band continued to play the march until it was no longer safe to do so. Although 168 people died in the fire, Evans’ quick response is credited with savings thousands of lives. Today’s edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion begins with “Symphonia March,” written by Merle Evans in 1925.
- Symphonia March
Composer: Merle Evans (1891-1987)
Performer: Washington Winds
Album: Circus Days
- Fire Jump
Composer: Merle Evans (1891-1987)
Performer: New England Conservatory Circus Band
Album: Tribute to Merle Evans
- Stars and Stripes Forever
Composer: John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
Performer: Incredible Columbia All-Star Band
Album: Footlifters
- Selections from Opera “La Vida Breve" (The Brief Life)
Composer: Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Performer: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band
Album: New Arrangement Collections, Vol. 5
- Prinz Wilhelm Marsch
Composer: Carl Teike (1864-1922)
Performer: Royal Swedish Navy Band
Album: Carl Teike Marches, Vol. 2
- Hoch Braunschweig
Composer: Carl Teike (1864-1922)
Performer: Royal Swedish Navy Band
Album: Carl Teike Marches, Vol. 2
- Escape from Plato's Cave: The Struggle
Composer: Stephen Melillo (1957- )
Performer: Leipzig Radio Wind Orchestra (now known as the Saxon Wind Philharmonic)
Album: Stormworks: Chapter 2
- Escape from Plato's Cave: Man from the Light
Composer: Stephen Melillo (1957- )
Performer: Leipzig Radio Wind Orchestra
Album: Stormworks: Chapter 2
- Escape from Plato's Cave: Escape into the Light
Composer: Stephen Melillo (1957- )
Performer: Leipzig Radio Wind Orchestra
Album: Stormworks: Chapter 2
- New York, New York (1977)
Composer: John Kander (1927- )
Performer: Brass Band de Waldsang
Album: Cinema Spectaculars, Vol. 2
- Xerxes (2010)
Composer: John Mackey (1973- )
Performer: U.S. Army Band
Album: Land of the Free