Fillmore, H :: The Circus Bee

Musicians Publications presents Henry Fillmore s The Circus Bee arranged for flexible woodwind quartet by Bill Holcombe and Bill Holcombe Jr. Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, this flexible quartet also includes an optional bass clarinet part to replace the bassoon when necessary.

The Circus Bee is a circus march or screamer. It is a celebration of sorts for the fact that Henry Fillmore (1881 1956) and his father, who managed their publishing business, finally agreed that Henry could publish his music even though it did not meet the elder Fillmore's standard of being religious music. It is named after an imaginary circus newspaper and reflects Fillmore's lifelong interest in circuses and his varied experiences while touring with five different big top shows. Henry Fillmore was a prolific composer of waltzes, foxtrots, hymns, novelty numbers and overtures. He is best-known for his marches and screamers. Born in Cincinnati, he mastered piano, guitar, violin, and flute, and the slide trombone, which at first he played in secret, as his conservative religious father considered it an uncouth and sinful instrument. He traveled widely as a circus bandmaster with his wife, an exotic dancer, and directed the Shriners Temple Band.

- Palatine Concert Band, 2019