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Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: August 9, 2025

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.

  1. Symphonia March
    Composer:  Merle Evans (1891-1987)
    Performer:  Washington Winds
    Album:  Circus Days
      
  2. Fire Jump
    Composer:  Merle Evans (1891-1987)
    Performer:  New England Conservatory Circus Band
    Album:  Tribute to Merle Evans
      
  3. Stars and Stripes Forever
    Composer:  John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
    Performer:  Incredible Columbia All-Star Band
    Album:  Footlifters
      
  4. 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
      
  5. Prinz Wilhelm Marsch
    Composer:  Carl Teike (1864-1922)
    Performer:  Royal Swedish Navy Band
    Album:  Carl Teike Marches, Vol. 2
      
  6. Hoch Braunschweig
    Composer:  Carl Teike (1864-1922)
    Performer:  Royal Swedish Navy Band
    Album:  Carl Teike Marches, Vol. 2
      
  7. 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
      
  8. Escape from Plato's Cave: Man from the Light
    Composer:  Stephen Melillo (1957- )
    Performer:  Leipzig Radio Wind Orchestra
    Album:  Stormworks: Chapter 2
      
  9. Escape from Plato's Cave: Escape into the Light
    Composer:  Stephen Melillo (1957- )
    Performer:  Leipzig Radio Wind Orchestra
    Album:  Stormworks: Chapter 2
      
  10. New York, New York (1977)
    Composer:  John Kander (1927- )
    Performer:  Brass Band de Waldsang
    Album:  Cinema Spectaculars, Vol. 2
      
  11. Xerxes (2010)
    Composer:  John Mackey (1973- )
    Performer:  U.S. Army Band
    Album:  Land of the Free
      
Born in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1951, John moved to Huntsville in 1975, where he worked for a communications training firm. From 1997 to 2022, John worked for the Lanier Ford law firm. During his tenure, He served as Lanier Ford's law librarian, marketing specialist, trainer, and professional recruiter. While in college and law school, John worked in professional radio in Starkville and Oxford, Mississippi.