Charles Trussell facts for kids
Charles Trussell (also known as Carlile Vernon) was a very important musician in Australia and New Zealand during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was born in London, England in 1860 and passed away in 1946 in Bauple, Queensland, Australia. Charles Trussell was famous for leading brass bands, writing music for them, and judging band competitions. He also might have written some vocal music.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Military Service
Charles Trussell started learning music when he was just 11 years old. He played the tenor horn in a school band in London. At 14, he joined the British Army as a band boy. He served for 13 years, including time in India. During his army service, he played the euphonium and studied how to write and arrange music.
Musical Journey in Australia
In 1887, after leaving the army, Trussell moved to Australia to be with his relatives. He first settled in Maryborough before moving to Tasmania. There, he quickly became the leader of the Latrobe Brass Band. He also led the Deloraine Band and a church choir. He even performed in a group called the Federal Minstrels. In 1895, he married Minnie Ada Biggins.
Becoming the "New Zealand March King"
Later in 1895, Trussell moved to Auckland, New Zealand. He became the band master of the Newton Band. He also started judging band contests, helping to decide which bands were the best. He was a key member of the North Island Brass Band Association.
Around 1900, he moved to Nelson and led the Nelson Garrison Band. This was a busy time for him, as he wrote the Alexandra Dance and the march Joys of Life.
In 1903, Trussell moved to Waihi. As the band master of the Waihi Federal Band, he worked hard to make them one of the top bands in the country. He wrote many marches, like Rimutaka (1905) and Mount Egmont (1905). He also arranged music from famous operas for bands to play in contests.
By 1907, Charles Trussell was very well-known. When the famous Besses o' th' Barn Band from England visited, he hosted them. Soon after, he and his wife left Waihi. The town thanked him for his contributions by giving him a marble clock. In the music world, Charles Trussell became known as "the New Zealand March King" because of all the great marches he composed.
Return to Australia and Later Life
In 1907, Trussell moved back to Australia, settling in Ipswich, Queensland. He became the conductor of the Ipswich Vice-Regal Band and stayed in that role until he retired in 1923. His wife passed away in 1925.
After retiring, he moved to live near Bauple, Queensland. He continued to play with bands and spent his time writing and arranging music, especially pieces for brass band contests. His music, particularly his arrangements of Verdi operas, was highly praised.
Charles Trussell passed away on December 23, 1946, at the age of 85. He is buried in Maryborough Cemetery.
Known Works
Charles Trussell wrote and arranged many pieces of music, mostly for brass bands. He sometimes used the name Carlile Vernon for his compositions. Here are some of his known works:
- Alexandra (Dance) c. 1899
- Annexation (March) c. 1903
- Aviator (March) c. 1922
- Bridal Rose (Waltz) c. 1916
- Capiscolus (March) c. 1896 (This piece was likely composed by someone else, but Trussell performed it.)
- Concordia (Fantasia) c. 1903
- Endymion (Waltz)
- Exhibition (Overture or March?) c. 1899
- The Garrison (March) c. 1899
- Gems of Italian Opera (arranged by Trussell) c. 1900
- Grand Junction (March) 1905 (Dedicated to a mine in Waihi)
- Golden Grain (Waltz) c. 1927
- The Golden North (March)
- Guy Fawkes (March) c. 1900
- Gympie City (March)
- I Lombardi (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) c. 1906
- I Masnadieri (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) c. 1937
- Il Bravo (Selection by Mercadante, arranged by Trussell) c. 1910
- Ingomar (March) c. 1910
- Joys of Life (March) (Written for the New Plymouth Contest, 1902)
- Knight Errant (Fantasia) c. 1922
- L’Ebreo (Selection by Apolloni, arranged by Trussell) 1902
- La Mia Speranza (Fantasia) c. 1901 (arranged by Trussell)
- La Traviata (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) 1906
- Luisa Miller (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) c. 1906
- Lyonia (March) c. 1914
- Maritana (Selection by Wallace, arranged by Trussell) c. 1927
- Martha Hill (March) 1905 (Dedicated to a mine in Waihi)
- Mount Egmont (March) 1905 (Written for the Hāwera Contest, 1906)
- N G B (Nelson Garrison Band) (March) c. 1900
- N I B B A (North Island Brass Band Association) (March) c. 1907
- Our Journal (Trio for cornet, tenor horn, trombone)
- Pagliacci (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) c. 1920
- The Patagonian (March) 1923
- The Pateena Valse (Waltz for piano) (Named after the steamship Pateena)
- The President (March) (Composed as Carlile Vernon)
- Pride of the North (March) c. 1914
- Princess Royal (Gavotte or March?) c. 1899
- Queen of the Earth (Waltz or March?) c. 1917
- Queen of the South (Waltz) c. 1917
- Reminisences of the Opera (Selection, arranged by Trussell) c. 1900
- Rifle Volunteers (March) c. 1903
- Rigoletto (Selection by Verdi, arranged by Trussell) c. 1919
- Rimutaka (March) 1903
- Rouge et Noir (Overture) c. 1918
- Scotch Melodies (Traditional, arranged by Trussell) c. 1902
- Scotland’s Pride (Selection, Traditional, arranged by Trussell) c. 1901
- St. Kilda (March) c. 1923
- Takapuna (March) c. 1905
- Tiberius (March) (Composed as Carlile Vernon)
- The Tournament (Fantasia) c. 1906
- Trombone Tutor (Method Book, published by John E. Dallas and Sons.) (Written as Carlile Vernon)
- Van Diemen (March)
- Verdi (Grand Selection, arranged by Trussell)
- Victorine (Intermezzo or March?) c. 1903 (This piece was likely composed by William Rimmer (music), but Trussell performed it.)
- Volunteers Parade (Quick March) c. 1903
- Waihi (March) c. 1903/05
- Wairarapa (March) c. 1926
- Weel May the Boatie Row (March) c. 1901
- With All My Heart (Cornet Solo) c. 1925
