Henry Fillmore Portrait, ca. 1930 and Fillmore scholar, Jim Daughters (inset), 2016.
As Henry Fillmore’s skill as a performer, composer and conductor improved during the early twentieth century while leading the Shrine Temple Band for circus performances between 1921 and 1926, and later with his own Fillmore Band for WLW radio broadcasts with his radio-hound dog, Mike, between 1927 and 1932, Fillmore’s reputation and influence as one of America’s leading wind band directors was felt across the country. Join Jim Daughters, Fillmore scholar and artistic director of the Fillmore Wind Band, for a special 3pm lecture on December 2nd entitled, “The Unconventional Henry Fillmore,” which will take place at the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music and will walk his audience through the unconventional life, music, and performance practice of James Henry Fillmore (1881-1956). The following day, the Cincinnati, Ohio Fillmore Wind Band, under the direction of Jim Daughters, will join the University of Illinois’ Wind Orchestra lead by Beth Peterson and the Hindsley Symphonic Band lead by Barry Houser in an exciting musical extravaganza on December 3rd highlighting the diverse musical personalities of Henry Fillmore and his extraordinary influence on America’s early wind band traditions. This special concert begins at 7:30pm in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Foellinger Great Hall, and will include a special appearance by a very unique local canine musician who will be joining the bands as a tribute to the memory of Mike, Henry Fillmore’s radio hound. Admission to the December 3rd concert is $10, $7, and $4. The December 2nd lecture is Free and open to the general public. For further information on the lecture and concert contact the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at 217-333-4577 or email sousa@illinois.edu.