Merle Evans was born in Columbus, Kansas in 1891. His father was a foreman in a coal mine. He had six siblings. Evans had an early job selling newspapers on corners. He used his cornet to call attention to the headlines.[1] He is featured in Tom Rhoads' farcical history of Columbus.[2] After holding several other jobs, Evans left home and joined the S.W. Brundage us Carnival Company as a cornet player. Evans held several other jobs, including as a band director for the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show featuring Buffalo Bill.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circusedit
Evans was hired as the band director for the newly merged Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1919.[3][4] Evans held this job for fifty years, until his retirement in 1969. He only missed performances due to a musicians union strike in 1942 and the death of his first wife.[4][5] He wrote eight circus marches, including Symphonia and Fredella.[4]
On July 6, 1944, a fire broke out during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus performance. The fire killed around 168 people. The quick reaction of Evans and his band is credited with saving thousands of lives. When Evans saw the fire, he signaled that the band should play John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” used in the circus and theater industries as the “disaster march,” indicating an emergency. The performers heard the music and immediately began the evacuation. Accounts state that Evans and his band played until it was no longer safe to do so, and then evacuated and reformed outside, where their playing helped to pace the evacuation and steady the crowd.[6]
Personal life, retirement and deathedit
After his retirement, Evans continued to live an active life. He served as a director of the Columbus State Bank in his hometown of Columbus, Kansas. He gave workshops and guest-led bands around the country.[7] His second wife was Nena, who served as secretary to the owners and executives of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Evans died in Sarasota, Florida on December 31, 1987.[8]
Memorialsedit
A scholarship at the Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music is named after Evans. The scholarship supports students with aspirations towards concert bands.[9] The Midwest Clinic awarded Evans its Medal of Honor in 1966.[10] Windjammers Unlimited credits Evans with its early success as an organization, and he is honored in their Hall of Fame.[11]
Referencesedit
^Plowden, Gene. Merle Evans: Maestro of the Circus. Miami, FL: E.A. Seemann Publishing, Inc., 1971. p.20
^Saxon, Wolfgang (1988-01-03). "Merle Evans Is Dead; Former Band Leader At Ringling Brothers (Published 1988)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
^. music.indiana.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-08-09.
Merle Evans Papers – Special Collections in Performing Arts at the University of Maryland
Circus World Library and Archives – holds Merle Evans music library
April 12, 2024
merle, evans, merle, slease, evans, december, 1891, december, 1987, cornet, player, circus, band, conductor, conducted, ringling, bros, barnum, bailey, circus, fifty, years, known, toscanini, evans, inducted, into, american, bandmasters, association, 1947, int. Merle Slease Evans December 26 1891 December 31 1987 was a cornet player and circus band conductor who conducted the Ringling Bros and Barnum amp Bailey Circus for fifty years He was known as the Toscanini of the Big Top Evans was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in 1947 and the International Circus Hall of Fame in 1975 Merle EvansBornMerle Slease Evans 1891 12 26 December 26 1891Columbus KansasDiedDecember 31 1987 1987 12 31 aged 96 Sarasota Florida Contents 1 Early life 2 Ringling Bros and Barnum amp Bailey Circus 2 1 Hartford Circus Fire 3 Personal life retirement and death 4 Memorials 5 References 6 External linksEarly life editMerle Evans was born in Columbus Kansas in 1891 His father was a foreman in a coal mine He had six siblings Evans had an early job selling newspapers on corners He used his cornet to call attention to the headlines 1 He is featured in Tom Rhoads farcical history of Columbus 2 After holding several other jobs Evans left home and joined the S W Brundage us Carnival Company as a cornet player Evans held several other jobs including as a band director for the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show featuring Buffalo Bill Ringling Bros and Barnum amp Bailey Circus editEvans was hired as the band director for the newly merged Ringling Bros and Barnum amp Bailey Circus in 1919 3 4 Evans held this job for fifty years until his retirement in 1969 He only missed performances due to a musicians union strike in 1942 and the death of his first wife 4 5 He wrote eight circus marches including Symphonia and Fredella 4 Hartford Circus Fire edit Main article Hartford Circus Fire On July 6 1944 a fire broke out during a Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus performance The fire killed around 168 people The quick reaction of Evans and his band is credited with saving thousands of lives When Evans saw the fire he signaled that the band should play John Philip Sousa s Stars and Stripes Forever used in the circus and theater industries as the disaster march indicating an emergency The performers heard the music and immediately began the evacuation Accounts state that Evans and his band played until it was no longer safe to do so and then evacuated and reformed outside where their playing helped to pace the evacuation and steady the crowd 6 Personal life retirement and death editAfter his retirement Evans continued to live an active life He served as a director of the Columbus State Bank in his hometown of Columbus Kansas He gave workshops and guest led bands around the country 7 His second wife was Nena who served as secretary to the owners and executives of the Ringling Bros and Barnum amp Bailey circus Evans died in Sarasota Florida on December 31 1987 8 Memorials editA scholarship at the Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music is named after Evans The scholarship supports students with aspirations towards concert bands 9 The Midwest Clinic awarded Evans its Medal of Honor in 1966 10 Windjammers Unlimited credits Evans with its early success as an organization and he is honored in their Hall of Fame 11 References edit Plowden Gene Merle Evans Maestro of the Circus Miami FL E A Seemann Publishing Inc 1971 p 20 Ned Ned Retrieved 2023 08 16 Plowden 50 a b c Charles Conrad Evans Merle Slease In Grove Music Online Oxford Music Online http www oxfordmusiconline com subscriber article grove music A2085095 accessed February 10 2012 Taylor R L One Beat to the Bar A Profile of Merle Evans Circus Fanfare XXI 1991 no 4 p 17 Plowden 122 125 Plowden 139 152 Saxon Wolfgang 1988 01 03 Merle Evans Is Dead Former Band Leader At Ringling Brothers Published 1988 The New York Times Retrieved 2023 08 16 Endowments amp Scholarships Giving Jacobs School of Music Indiana University Bloomington music indiana edu Archived from the original on 2011 08 09 The Midwest Clinic Awards Home circusmusic org External links editMerle Evans Papers Special Collections in Performing Arts at the University of Maryland Circus World Library and Archives holds Merle Evans music library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Merle Evans amp oldid 1189211847, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
