The Denver Municipal Band was founded in the late 1860s by Alex Sutherland, bugler at the "Charge of The Light Brigade." Surviving the ordeal, he settled in Denver where he was active in many of the city's early musical activities. Originally constituted as the GAR Post Band,it performed early municipally funded concerts throughout the 1870s and 80s, changing its name to the Denver Municipal Band in 1891 when it began its continuous history of Denver Municipal Funding. The Band has always been fully professional. During the early years of the 20th century, it toured the St. Louis and San Francisco expositions and was conducted by major bandsmen including Frederick Innes, trombone soloist for Sousa, and the renowned solo cornetist, Hermann Bellstedt, Jr.(1858-1926). In addition to the year round Denver series, the Band broadcast nationally via KOA and the Armed Services Network. The Band was conducted for over forty years by Henry Sachs who also composed prolifically for the ensemble.
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