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Herbert Lincoln ClarkeAmerican composer and cornetist
Date of Birth: 12.09.1867
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Herbert Lincoln Clarke
Early Life and Musical CareerHerbert Lincoln Clarke was born in 1867 in Woburn, Massachusetts. His father, William Horatio Clarke, was a composer, organist, and organ builder. The family moved several times before settling in Toronto in 1880. Herbert had two brothers, Edwin and Ernest, both of whom also became successful musicians. Herbert started his musical journey playing the violin and became the second violinist in the Toronto Philharmonic Society by 1881. However, it was a concert by David Reeves and the playing of Bowen R. Church that influenced Herbert's development as a musician. He began learning the cornet from his brother and became a cornetist in the "Queen's Own Rifle Band".
Professional Career and Achievements
Between 1884 and 1887, Herbert played both the violin and second cornet in the English's Opera House orchestra in Indianapolis. He also worked at John Kay Store, played second cornet in the "Queen's Own" ensemble, and performed at Ontario Beach during the summers. In 1886, he won a pocket instrument made by renowned craftsman Henry Distin in a cornet competition. In 1887, Herbert joined the "Citizen's Band of Toronto" as a solo cornetist. Over the next five years, he performed in various Toronto ensembles and taught violin at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and Trinity College. In September 1889, Herbert married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Loudon. He left Canada again in the spring of 1892.
In 1893, Clarke joined John Philip Sousa's Band and later played the trumpet in the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Orchestra. During this time, he divorced Lizzie Loudon and married Lillian Bell Hause. In 1898, he returned to Sousa's Band. In 1901, Clarke became the conductor of the "American Band," a group that had a profound impact on him in his youth.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1917, Clarke decided to retire from his solo career. He returned to Canada and significantly reduced his performances, focusing on conducting, composition, and establishing his cornet school in Chicago. In 1923, Clarke moved to Long Beach, California. In April 1931, he was elected president of the American Association of Orchestra Conductors. From 1936 until his death in 1945, Clarke was a close friend and private teacher to Claude Gordon. He made significant contributions to the cornet repertoire, leaving behind numerous recordings that showcased his technical prowess and lyrical sound. His instructional books continue to be widely used by brass students today. Herbert Lincoln Clarke remains a celebrated American composer and cornetist whose contributions to music endure.
