The Melody Shop

This is an arrangement written in 1999 by Andrew Glover (see below) of a march written in 1910 by Karl King (see also below).

From the arranger:

“Karl King composed 185 marches. ‘The Melody Shop’ was one of his earliest, published in 1910 when the composer was only 19 years of age. King had already composed several marches and other works by this time, many of which were published by C. L. Barnhouse. The baritone (euphonium) part in the final strain of this march has always been notorious for its difficulty. That part, in fact, was made considerably more difficult by the original, tiny quickstep-sized part (standard in 1910) and an unusually poor engraving job.

One popular legend explaining this dizzying baritone part involves a chance meeting in a Canton, Ohio barbershop between King and a stranger. The stranger was a baritone player, and he struck up a conversation with King (also a baritone player.) Not knowing the composer's identity, the stranger referred to Karl King as ‘the guy who writes those dinky marches’. That was all the urging King needed to make ‘The Melody Shop’ one of the most famous baritone parts in all of band repertoire.”

Karl Lawrence King was born February 21,1891 in Paintersville, Ohio. As a young man he became proficient on the baritone, and soon began playing in several bands. He also began to compose marches and other band works at an early age, with his first published works appearing in print while still a teenager. Bitten by the circus bug, King began traveling with various show bands, and his trouping career climaxed with the directorship of the Barnum and Bailey Circus Band in 1918.

Wanting to settle down, King returned briefly to Ohio before accepting in 1920 the leadership of the Fort Dodge, Iowa band, a post he would hold until his death 51 years later. There he established his own publishing company and built the Fort Dodge band into one of the finest in the nation. As composer of some 290 works for band, Mr. King remains one of the most prolific and most frequently performed composers today.

A special appreciation of Karl King by the arranger, Andrew Glover:

“Like many band musicians, my first exposure to Karl King was through playing his music in bands - breakneck galops, lush serenades, snazzy novelties -and a seeming endless flow of tuneful, snappy marches -some easy, some not-so easy. It was only after learning more about Mr. King through his writings and visiting with those who knew him that I discovered how revered this man truly was. He was more than an excellent musician and a prolific composer of band music, but a warm, caring and thoughtful man.

Mr. King was a great advocate of bands in his gentle, homespun way and contributed greatly to school band programs through his music for them. He believed firmly that bands should select music with the enjoyment of its musicians and audiences in mind. He understood that times do change, and he was always updating his older compositions for more modern bands.

I was delighted and very honored when the Barnhouse Company asked me to make this new arrangement of ‘The Melody Shop’, because I am such an admirer of Mr. King and his music. In preparing this arrangement, I have kept the composers intentions well in mind. I believe Mr. King would approve of this edition, and I know he would be pleased that many bands were again playing this real ‘gem’ of a march. As a member of the C. L. Barnhouse staff, I work every day at Mr. King’s old desk from his Fort Dodge, Iowa office. We think of him often and remember him fondly, as he was - and still is - such an important part of our history.”

Born in 1961, arranger Andrew Glover’s diverse career in music has included successful tenures as educator, composer, arranger, performer, conductor, clinician, and publisher. He joined the staff of the C. L. BarnhouseCompany in 1998, and as Executive Vice President is in charge of music production, serves as staff composer/arranger and editor, and manages the business as Chief Operating Officer.

A native of the St. Louis area, he was educated in the public schools of Webster Groves, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Methodist University and did graduate work at Southeast Missouri State University. As a sophomore in high school, Glover’s first band arrangement was performed by the school’s wind ensemble, and thus began a multi-decade career in composition and arranging. His band works, which number over 200, have been performed, recorded, and broadcast by bands worldwide.

In college, Glover won a position in the Detroit Concert Band, conducted by Leonard B. Smith, and performed for four seasons on euphonium. He participated in numerous recording sessions with the DCB, including anthology entitled “Gems of the Concert Band” and a documentary film soundtrack. For many years he also performed as a soloist and guest artist.

Glover taught briefly in the public schools of Webster Groves, and served for seven years as Director of Bands at Rosary High School in St. Louis. As a guest conductor, clinician, soloist, and speaker he has appeared in over 35 states. He also worked in the private sector for over a decade in association management.

An enthusiast of, and advocate for, classic concert band music and history, Glover is not only involved in new music production at Barnhouse, but also oversees the company's 130+ year archive of publications and historical memorabilia, and is frequently involved in band history research projects.

He is a member of ASCAP; the Association of Concert Bands, where he serves on the advisory council; and is Vice President of Windjammers Unlimited (an historical music society that is dedicated to the preservation of traditional music of the circus). In May 2013 he received the Distinguished Alumni award from Central Methodist University.

The music for The Melody Shop was provided for the band by Euphonia Section of 2026, Rob Sturza and Doug Weeks, in thanks for the challenge.