Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945)

BRASS BULLETIN has devoted segments in its last three issues to the life of Herbert L. Clarke up to the age of twenty-four when he began his internationally famous career as a bandmaster and cornet soloist. At the point where the last issue ended, Clarke had been touring as solo cornetist with P. S. Gilmore's band until the death of Gilmore and the demise of the original Gilmore Band. Without a job and nearly broke, Clarke returned to New York City to find work.

Upon returning to New York after the death of Gilmore and the dissolving of his band, Clarke sought aid from the only good friend he had in New York. Walter Rogers, who had been Clarke's boyhood "duet partner", was now playing with Cappa’s Seventh Regiment Band. Rogers introduced Clarke to several contractors and Clarke received work in theaters, hotels, restaurants, and dance bands, all the while making arrangements of cornet solos which he hoped to someday play when he could resume his cornet soloist's career.

In 1893, Clarke received an offer from Sousa to be his first chair cornetist and soloist. This offer was accepted and Clarke became associated with the great trombonist Arthur Pryor who played with Sousa. It was Pryor who first encouraged Clarke to write his own cornet solo compositions. Sousa was unable to offer the band full-time employment as concert engagements were scarce during winter months. Gilmore's band was being reformed under the direction of Victor Herbert, and Clarke was to be Assistant Conductor of the band. Herbert's band also was able only to fill short-term engagements.

For the next few years, Clarke played solo cornet with Sousa, Herbert, and Innes, each of which could not offer steady employment. Victor Herbert resigned from head of the reorganized Gilmore band as it was increasingly difficult to obtain work for the band. Clarke was offered the post but declined the honor and resigned from the band. Mr. Albert Couturier was hired as conductor and the following disastrous tour marked the ending of the Gilmore band.