Charles Trussell

Charles Trussell aka Carlile Vernon,[1] (1860, London, England – 1946, Bauple, Queensland, Australia[2]) was a prominent musician in brass bands (British style) both in Australia and New Zealand during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He served as band master of a number of bands in both countries and was a significant composer and arranger of brass band music. He also was an adjudicator at brass band contests. He is also believed to have written vocal music.[1] He is not to be confused with American banjoist and composer H. C. Trussell (of Quincy, Ill.) who was also active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

portrait of Australian band conductor and composer Charles Trussell 1860-1946

Biography

Early life

Trussell commenced his musical education in a school boys band in London from the age of 11 playing tenor horn. At 14 he enlisted in the British Army as a band boy and served with the 2nd Battalion of the 14th Regiment of Foot and later the Prince of Wales Regiment[3] in India. During this time he played euphonium and studied musical composition and harmony.[4]

Australia

In 1887, after 13 years service in the army, Trussell followed relatives to Australia and settled in Maryborough, before moving to Tasmania. Shortly thereafter he was appointed conductor of the Latrobe Brass (later Federal) Band.[5] He also became conductor of the Deloraine Band, conducted a church choir, and later on entertained as part of a group called the Federal Minstrels. In 1895 he was married to Minnie Ada Biggins (b.1863 in Tasmania)[6]

New Zealand

In 1895, Trussell moved to New Zealand settling in Auckland where he was appointed band master of the Newton (later Auckland Battalion) Band. He also judged band contests, the first being the 1897 Goldfields Band Contest in Te Aroha.[7] He was a prominent member of the North Island Brass Band Association. During this time, he played cricket for the St. Albans Cricket Club in Auckland.[8]

By 1900, he had moved to Nelson and was band master of the Nelson Garrison Band. It was about this time he had composed the Alexandra Dance.[9] In 1901 he composed the march Joys of Life for the national band contest held that year in New Plymouth.[10]

In November 1903 Trussell moved back to the North Island, to Waihi.[11] As band master of the Waihi Federal Band he improved the standard of the band to one of the best in the country.[12]

During this time his compositional output increased, with several marches written each year (including Rimutaka (1905), Mount Egmont (1905), N. I. B. B. A. (1907)), arrangements of operatic selections for contests (including L’ Ebreo (1904) and La Traviata (1906)) and a fantasias Concordia (1903) and The Tournament (1906).

He also competed in lawn bowling competitions in the region.[13]

In April 1907 Trussell hosted the prestigious Besses o' th' Barn Band from England as part of their world tour. Shortly after this, in May 1907, he and his wife were farewelled from Waihi where the town presented him with a marble clock in recognition of the contribution made to the town. Silver hair brushes were presented to his wife. In the press and in band circles, Trussell had become known as "the New Zealand March King".[14]

Confusion has arisen about a later band master of the Waihi Federal Band. Between 1910 and 1914, and again in 1925, the band master was a Mr. T. Russell.[15] It has been assumed that Trussell and Russell were in fact the same person with Trussell's name being a contraction of T. Russell used for composing purposes. It seems this is a misunderstanding and that Charles Trussell and T. Russell appear to be two different people, as both apparently were conducting different bands in different places at the same time. Mr. T. Russell, like Trussell, appears to have originally come from England, but when he returned in 1925, he is recorded as having come back from England. He also apparently returned to England due to ill health. Charles Trussell would have been both coming from and returning to Australia rather than England at this time.

Return to Australia

In 1907 Trussell moved back to Australia, this time settling in Ipswich, Queensland. He was appointed conductor of the Ipswich Vice-Regal Band, a position he held until his retirement in 1923. His wife died aged 58 in 1925 after an illness.[16]

He then moved to live near Bauple, Queensland. He continued playing with bands and was active composing and arranging (mostly contest pieces for brass bands) during this time receiving high praise for the quality of his music, especially his various selections from Verdi operas[4]

Charles Trussell died on 23 December 1946 aged 85. He is buried in Maryborough Cemetery.[16]

Known works

This list is most likely incomplete. All works listed are composed or arranged for brass band unless otherwise stated. Included are works by the pseudonymous Carlile Vernon. These works are indicated and are believed to be composed by Charles Trussell,[1] but it has also been suggested they are works by Welsh composer William Carlile Bawden (b.1857, d.1925).[17]

  • Alexandra (Dance) c. 1899[18]
  • Annexation (March) c. 1903[19]
  • Aviator (March) c. 1922[20][21]
  • Bridal Rose (Waltz) c. 1916[22][23]
  • Capiscolus (March) c. 1896[24][21] This is probably not an original composition by Trussell as reported. It is most likely Trussell conducting a performance the piece Capiscolus (Quickstep) by American William E. M. Petee, 1883.[25] A copy of this piece with Trussell's name stamped on it is held in the Kerepehi Brass Band Library.
  • Concordia (Fantasia) c. 1903[24][26][21]
  • Endymion (Waltz)[23]
  • Exhibition (Overture?) (March?) c. 1899[18]
  • The Garrison (March) c. 1899[18]
  • Gems of Italian Opera (arr. Trussell) c. 1900[27]
  • Grand Junction (March) 1905 Dedicated to the Grand Junction Mine in Waihi[28][21]
  • Golden Grain (Waltz) c. 1927[29][23]
  • The Golden North (March)[30]
  • Guy Fawkes (March) c. 1900[31]
  • Gympie City (March)[21][23]
  • I Lombardi (Selection) (by Verdi, arr. Trussell) c. 1906, Used as Test piece (A Grade) at Christchurch Contest 1907[32][33][34][35]
  • I Masnadieri (Selection) c. 1937 (by Verdi arr. C. Trussell)[36]
  • Il Bravo (Selection) (by Mercadante, arr. Trussell) c. 1910[37]
  • Ingomar (March) c. 1910[38][23][21]
  • Joys of Life (March), Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the New Plymouth Contest, 1902[39][40][21]
  • Knight Errant (Fantasia) c. 1922[41][42][23][21]
  • L’Ebreo (Selection) (Apolloni arr. Trussell) 1902, Arranged specially as test piece for the New Plymouth Contest 1902[32][43][44]
  • La Mia Speranza (Fantasia) c. 1901 arr. Trussell) (Some publications spell Speranizo rather than Speranza)[45][46]
  • La Traviata (Selection) (Verdi arr. Trussell) 1906, Test Piece Waihi Band Contest.,[47][21] Re-arranged to suit Lismore Contest Test piece (sometime between 1907 and 1914)[48]
  • Luisa Miller (Selection) (by Verdi arr. Trussell) c. 1906,[49] Used in 1920 for Brisbane contest[48]
  • Lyonia (March) c. 1914[50]
  • Maritana (Selection) (by Wallace arr. Trussell) c. 1927[51]
  • Martha Hill (March) 1905, Dedicated to the Martha Hill Mine, Waihi[52]
  • Mount Egmont(March) 1905, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Hāwera Contest, 1906[39][53][54][21]
  • N G B (Nelson Garrison Band) (March) c. 1900[55]
  • N I B B A (North Island Brass Band Association) (March) c. 1907, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the New Plymouth Contest, 1908[39][14][56][57]
  • Our Journal (Trio – cornet, tenor horn, trombone)[58]
  • Pagliacci (Selection) (Verdi arr. Trussell) c. 1920, written for the Bundaberg Contest 1920[48]
  • The Patagonian (March) 1923, composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Dunedin Contest, 1923[39][59]
  • The Pateena Valse (Waltz) (piano),[23] The title referring to the steamship Pateena
  • The President (March) (composed as Carlile Vernon)[60]
  • Pride of the North (March) c. 1914[61]
  • Princess Royal (Gavotte) (March?) c. 1899[62][26]
  • Queen of the Earth (Waltz) (March?) c. 1917,[63][64] Possibly the same piece as Queen of the South.
  • Queen of the South (Waltz) c. 1917,[65][66] Possibly the same piece as Queen of the Earth.
  • Reminisences of the Opera (Selection) (arr. Trussell) c. 1900[67][68]
  • Rifle Volunteers (March) c. 1903[43][21]
  • Rigoletto (Selection) (by Verdi, arr. Trussell) c. 1919, Test piece for Gympie Contest 1919[48][21]
  • Rimutaka (March) 1903, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Masterton Contest, 1903,[39][69][21] Wanganui wins quickstep at Masterton Contest Rimutaka March listed as being specially composed for the event)[70][71]
  • Rouge et Noir (Overture) c. 1918[72][73][21]
  • Scotch Melodies (Traditional, arr. Trussell) c. 1902, Possibly same piece as Scotland's Pride.[45]
  • Scotland’s Pride (Selection) (Traditional, arr. Trussell) c. 1901,[74] Possibly same piece as Scotch Melodies[75]
  • St. Kilda (March) c. 1923[42][76][77][21]
  • Takapuna (March) c. 1905[78]
  • Tiberius (March) (composed as Carlile Vernon)[79][5][21]
  • The Tournament (Fantasia) c. 1906[80]
  • Trombone Tutor (Method Book, published by John E. Dallas and Sons.) (written as Carlile Vernon)[1]
  • Van Diemen (March)[23][21]
  • Verdi (Grand Selection) (arr. Trussell), Quite likely another of his selections composed by Verdi.[81]
  • Victorine (Intermezzo?) (March?) c. 1903.[9][43][21] A March entitled Victorine composed by William Rimmer (music) exists[82] stamped with C. Trussell. So this is likely to have been mistaken as a composition by Trussell.
  • Volunteers Parade (Quick March) c. 1903[21]
  • Waihi (March) c. 1903/05, Possibly same piece as Annexation March[83]
  • Wairarapa (March) c. 1926, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Wellington Contest, 1927[84][85]
  • Weel May the Boatie Row (March) c. 1901[86]
  • With All My Heart (Cornet Solo) c. 1925[87]

References
  1. "Trussell, C. - People and organisations - Trove". Trove.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  2. "Bandsmen Honour Memory of Late Charles Trussell at the Cemetery". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 23, 446. Queensland, Australia. 7 April 1947. p. 4. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. p69, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna.
  4. "Mr. Charles Trussel - Trove". Trove.nla.gov.au. 19 April 1930. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  5. "History - Latrobe Federal Band Inc". Sites.google.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  6. "Minnie Ada Trussell - Ancestry.com.au". Search.ancestry.com.au. 30 June 1925. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  7. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Ohinemuri Gazette, Paeroa, 3 February 1897
  8. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Auckland Star, Auckland, 10 April 1897
  9. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899
  10. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Test March for New Plymouth Contest", 22 February 1902
  11. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Waihi welcomes new Bandmaster C. Trussell in function at music hall" Auckland Star, Auckland, 30 November 1903
  12. p69, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna
  13. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 17 December 1906.
  14. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Trussell described as New Zealand March King and N. I. B. B. A. as even better than Rimutaka and Mt Egmont Otago Witness, Dunedin, 11 December 1907
  15. "History of the Waihi Brass Bands". Ohinemuri.org.nz. 14 October 1970. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  16. "Grave Site of Charles Trussell (-1946)". BillionGraves. 23 December 1946. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  17. "ccm :: Bawden, William Carlile Bawden - Vernon, Carlile Vernon". Composers-classical-music.com. 1 December 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  18. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899.
  19. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Garrison Band Concert"Wanganui Chronicle, Wanganui, 2 May 1903.
  20. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Christchurch Tramways Brass Band" The Press, Christchurch, 26 December 1922.
  21. Copy held in Kerepehi Brass Band library
  22. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Lyttleton Marine Band" Sun, Christchurch, 23 December 1916.
  23. "NLA Home | National Library of Australia". Nla.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  24. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Newton Brass Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 4 July 1896
  25. "Capiscolus quickstep / [sheet music]:Print Material Description: Performing Arts Encyclopedia, Library of Congress". Memory.loc.gov. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Garrison Band Concert" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 2 May 1903.
  27. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 22 February 1900, 14 May 1902.
  28. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Waihi Federal Band" Waihi Daily Telegraph, Waihi, 17 April 1905.
  29. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Broadcast in concert Australian Light Horse Band 2FC Sydney" The Press, Christchurch' 2 April 1927.
  30. Handwritten copy held in Kerepehi Brass Band Library.
  31. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" The Star, Nelson, 8 December 1900.
  32. p95, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna.
  33. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "1907 Test piece at Band Contest in Christchurch" Bush Advocate, Wairarapa, 15 February
  34. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Kaikorai Band" Otago Witness, Dunedin, 10 April 1907.
  35. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Wanganui Garrison Band" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 21 June 1912
  36. "Catalog of Copyright Entries 1963 Music July-Dec 3D Ser Vol 17 Pt 5 : Library of Congress. Copyright Office. : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive". Archive.org. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  37. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Onehunga Band" Auckland Star, Auckland, 26 January 1910.
  38. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Onehunga Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 13 January 1912.
  39. p68, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna.
  40. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Test March for New Plymouth Contest", 22 February 1902.
  41. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Artillery Band Concert" Evening Post, Wellington, 22 April 1922.
  42. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Artillery Band" Evening Post, Wellington, 9 April 1923
  43. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Garrison Band Concert" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 2 May 1903
  44. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Star, Christchurch, 16 May 1903
  45. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 14 May 1902
  46. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine"Wanganui Garrison Band at Caledonia Sports" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 15 January 1904
  47. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Test piece Waihi Band Contest C. Trussell Ajudicator" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 10 November 1906
  48. "Mr Charles Trussell". Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton. 19 April 1930. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  49. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Waihi Federal Band to play at Regatta in Ngaruawahia" Auckland Star, Auckland, 17 March 1906
  50. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "New Brighton Marine Band", 21 November 1914
  51. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Port Nicholson Band" C. Trussell listed as a New Zealander, Evening Post, Wellington, 1 October 1927.
  52. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Played at Auckland Mayor reception at Domain Waihi Daily Telegraph, Waihi, 21 February 1905
  53. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine March specially written for the Hawera Band Contest Hawera and Normanby Star, Hawera, Wanganui Chronicle, Wanganui Herald, Whanganui, 24 October 1905 March.
  54. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine March specially written for the Hawera Band Contest, Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 4 January 1906
  55. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Onehunga Brass Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 24 February 1912
  56. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Hastings Band" Hastings Standard, Hastings 21 February 1908
  57. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Contest march for New Plymouth Taranaki Herald, New Plymouth
  58. Archived 4 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine Copy in Hugh McMahon Collection (Callaway Centre, University of Western Australia)
  59. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Christchurch Tramway Brass Band Concert" The Press, Christchurch, 23 January 1923
  60. Copy held by the "National Library of Australia" Archived 22 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  61. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Garrison Band" Composed and presented to the band by Mr Trussell now of Queensland. Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 29 June 1914
  62. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899.
  63. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Woolston Band" The Press, Christchurch, 11 January 1917
  64. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Lyttleton Marine Band" Sun, Christchurch, 11 January 1917
  65. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Lyttleton Marine Band" The Press, Christchurch, 20 February 1917
  66. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Lyttleton Marine Band" Sun, Christchurch, 20 February 1917
  67. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" The Star, Christchurch, (Nelson Notes), 8 December 1900.
  68. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Auckland City Band" Auckland Star, Auckland, 9 September 1911
  69. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, Auckland Star, Auckland, Taranaki Herald, New Plymouth, North Otago Times, Oamaru, 6 February 1903
  70. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Auckland Garrison Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 1 May 1912
  71. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Lyttleton Marine Band" The Press, Christchurch, 3 February 1915
  72. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Christchurch Tramway Band" The Press, Christchurch, 9 January 1918,
  73. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine"Christchurch Tramway Band" Sun 9 January 1918
  74. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 August 1901
  75. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine New March based on Scottish Airs recently arranged by My Trussell Colonist, Nelson, 4 March 1901
  76. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" The Press, Christchurch, 19 February 1924
  77. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine Various Frequently used in Broadcasts by the St Kilda Band on Radio 4YA Dundedin in 1927/28
  78. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "March sent to a Nelson Citizens band" by C Trussell (composer / Waihi Fed) they are to get new uniforms and give a concert in about a month, The Star, Christchurch, 24 June 1905
  79. "Tiberius [music] : quick march / Carlile Vernon | National Library of Australia". Catalogue.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  80. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine The Star, Christchurch, 17 March 1906
  81. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Auckland City Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland 7 October 1911
  82. held in Kerepehi Brass Band library
  83. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Wanganui and Kaikorai play Garden Party" (Part of Auckland Contest) at the Auckland Domain Cricket Ground "Waihi" Trussell’s Annexation March, over 7000 present. Wanganui Herald, Whanganui, 16 February 1905
  84. p68, p72, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna.
  85. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "A Grade Test Piece announced for Contest" Auckland Star, Auckland, 20 November 1926
  86. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 19 March 1901
  87. "Papers Past" Archived 22 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine "Bandsman Hill (Stan Hill? or Alan Hill?) soloist with Ponsonby Boys" The Press, Christchurch, 28 December 1925

Further reading
  • Bierley, Paul E.; Rehrig, William H. The heritage encyclopedia of band music: composers and their music. Edited by Paul E. Bierley; William H. Rehrig. Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1991
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