HATS
OFF! THE VETERAN BANDMASTER IS PASSING BY
When the roll in heaven was called on Saturday last, Lieut. George W. Robinson,
the veteran bandmaster not only of Canada, but also of the United States,
answered to that name. That morning he came uptown in as apparent good health
as his 77 years would warrant, and two hours later, on returning to his home,
the Great Commander had ordered his “muster out.” The city dailies have given
many interesting details of his long life in Hamilton, therefore we will go
back to his boyhood and give a brief sketch that may be interesting to those
who knew him intimately, especially in musical circles. Lieut. Robinson was
born in the British army 77 years ago, his father being a member of the Rifle
Brigade. Brought up in the army from childhood, he naturally inclined to the
life of a soldier, and, being educated in a military school, where boys were
trained in music, he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade when he arrived at the age
at which boys were then admitted to the British army. He was a born musician,
and his 77 years of life were one sweet song of harmony. Not only was he a
master of band instruments, but he added to his fame as a composer of music,
one of his favorite pieces in which he felt a justifiable pride being a new
setting to that soul-inspiring hymn written by Mrs. Sarah L. Adams, Nearer, My
God, to Thee, and which has become a classic, not only in band music, but with
vocal soloists. It was a fitting requiem to the last sad funeral rites at the
cemetery on last Tuesday afternoon before the bugles sounded “lights out.” One
other Hamilton composer, R. S. Ambrose, added in his day another classic that
has become, nation-wide, the score to Phoebe Carey’s beautiful hymn, One
Sweetly Solemn Thought.
At the beginning of the civil war in
the United States 56 years ago, H. M. Prince Consort’s Rifle Brigade was
ordered to Canada and stationed in Hamilton, and with this regiment Lieut.
Robinson came as a member of its celebrated band. The Rifle Brigade remained in
Hamilton for two years and was then transferred to another post. During his two
years’ residence in this city, he had made many desirable acquaintances,
especially in musical circles, that on his discharge from the army in 1866, he
returned here and made Hamilton his home. A little band history may not be out
of place, as it will lead up to the time when Lieut. Robinson became
bandmaster. In 1850, Hamilton was without a band, when the Sons of Temperance
decided that one was a necessity for public parades, in which that order occasionally
took part. Edward Kelk, a Waterloo veteran, who served as a drummer boy in the
British army during those historic days, had three sons, all accomplished
musicians, and with the Kelk family as a nucleus, a very creditable band was
organized. A number of Englishmen who had been connected with bands in the old
country became members, and with a teacher of the ability of Bandmaster Kelk,
were ready to head the first parade of the Sons of Temperance in 1851. As a
majority of the members were not inclined to a seat on the water wagon, and
there was not much money in being a musician in those days, the band disbanded
in the course of a couple years. Peter Grossman, a newcomer to Hamilton, and a
man of great musical talent, was induced to gather up the musical fragments and
organize under the name of the City band. Mr. Grossman having been a military
bandmaster in his native country, and having two sons who were fine musicians,
succeeded in organizing a company of players that was above the ordinary run of
country bands. In 1856, this was merged into the Independent Artillery band,
Colonel Booker, then being in command of the battery. In 1862, Bandmaster
Grossman’s musical dream died away, and for four years thereafter, Hamilton was
without a band. In 1866, the officers of the Royal 13th regiment
were presented by a patriotic committee with $1,000, and Bandmaster Grossman
was induced to organize a new band. A new set of up-to-date instruments were
bought, and a majority of the old Artillery band became members. In 1869, Mr.
Grossman resigned and Lieut. Robinson succeeded him, holding the position of
leader for only one year, when he resigned. William Blanshard became the
leader, and as he died within the year, the band was again without a master. In
1871, Lieut. Robinson was persuaded to become the leader, and in 1873, the
officers and men subscribed a fund of $1,8000, with which a new set of Besson
instruments was ought. A few years ago, the veteran bandmaster was honored by
the military department of the Dominion with a commission as lieutenant, and
Hamilton rejoiced at this recognition of its musical idol.
During the long years of his
leadership of Hamilton’s superb military band, the great master had trained not
less than 300 bandsmen, every man being qualified under his careful tuition as
a soloist on his instrument. Not alone in Canada has the Royal 13th
band made a reputation, but from frequent visits to the United States, it has
won a nation-wide fame. As a mark of high esteem in which he was held by the
officers and men of the regiment, as well as of the band he had trained to be
second to none in the United States and Canada, a complimentary concert was
tendered to him on the 30th anniversary of his leadership, when an
audience of over 2,000 of Hamilton’s citizens greeted him with such acclaim as
must have made the veteran bandmaster feel the appreciation in which he was
held by those with whom he had mingled. During the evening, a costly gold
watch, with the crest of the Royal 13th, was presented to him by
Mrs. McLaren, the wife of the lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. There have
been many changes in the roster of the band since the time when Lieut. Robinson
first became its leader. The oldest surviving member is Sergt. Hutton, who led
the band in its farewell march to the tomb of its beloved leader of Tuesday
afternoon last.
In his younger days, when a member of
the Rifle Brigade band, the great master had the honor of playing a flute solo,
on which instrument he was without a rival, before Her Majesty, the Duchess of
Kent (the Queen’s mother), King Edward, the presnt King George, as well as the
members of the royal family. On that occasion, he played a solo of his own
composition, accompanied by the full Rifle band. For his talent as a musician,
he was highly complimented by the Queen and invited by King Edward to drink a
glass of wine with him. The veteran bandmaster has been succeeded in his
leadership of the Royal 13 band by his son, William F., who has also been honored
with the commission of lieutenant. When Lieut. William F. was in England some
years ago as the leader of a band, during the reign of King Edward, he was also
the recipient of honors, by his royal highness conferring upon him the medal of
the Royal Highness conferring upon him the medal of the Royal Victorian order,
he being the first and only colonial musician honored by the King up to that
time.
Hats off to the veteran bandmaster in
his passing to the tomb! He was buried as befitted a soldier born into the army
and who gave loyal service for 60 years under the flag of his native country.
Hamilton will miss his kindly face and his hearty greeting. Farewell, Lieut.
George W. Robinson.
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