Hamlin E. Cogswell

From the Fifth Annual Massed Band Concert Souvenir Program
Montrose, Pennsylvania
August 14, 1936

Hamlin E. Cogswell was born on September 26, 1852, in the little village of Tuscarora, now Silvara, in Bradford County, PA. Early in his youth he developed a talent for music and while still in his teens acquired quite a reputation as a teacher of the then popular "Singing School."

In his early 20's Mr. Cogswell located at Brooklyn, a small town a few miles from Montrose, and organized the Brooklyn Band. It became well known through it outstanding playing at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. While at Brooklyn the popular "Montrose Quick-Step" was written and published. This march soon became one of the most played marches of that time and is even now recognized as one of the best of the "old time" band numbers.

Mr. Cogswell next moved to Scranton and was made director of the City Guard Millitary Band. While in Scranton he was in demand as a private teacher and choir director. Following his stay there Mr. Cogswell spent a year in study with leading teachers of Boston and New York.

Next came a brief time of teaching in Tunkhannock, PA, Binghamton, NY, and then to Elmira where he instructed the city band and was choir master at Trinity Episcopal Church.

From Elmira Mr. Cogswellwas called to Manfield to act as director of the Music Conservatory associated with the local normal school, now the Mansfield State Teachers College. He felt keenly that music, properly taught, should be a part of the regular school curriculum and worked patiently and persistently toward that end. As a result he is now quite generally recognized as a pioneer in the field of public school music.

The city of Syracuse, attracted by his efforts in developing public school music, elected him to the director of music in their schools, which he accepted. While there he received his degree from Syracuse University.

In 1906 Mr. Cogswell returned to Pennsylvania to become a director of the music department of the Indiana Normal School. Wherever Mr. Cogswell located music seemed to flourish, and Indiana was no exception. His summers he spent teaching music at Cornell University and Chautaugua Summer School of Music.

Mr. Cogswell's final move was to Washington, DC. Here in addition to having charge of the music in the public schools he had many positions of honor and usefulness. Included in these are Leader of the Home Defense League Regimental band, conductor of the Washington Oratoria, conductor of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, and president of the music section of the National Educational Association.

Mr. Cogswell has been honored by inclusion in both the National Encyclopedia of Americans and Grove's Musical Dictionary, American Edition. He is also listed in Who's Who in America.

Following the death of Mr. Cogswell on April 7, 1922, the flags of the city of Washington were ordered at half mast, a memorial service was held at Bolling Field and a memorial concert was given by the musicians of the city.

Introduction | Gay's West Auburn Band | Brooklyn's Prize Band | Hamlin E. Cogswell | Great Bend Cornet Band | Harford Bands | Harford Soldiers' Orphan School | Kingsley Cornet Band | Canawacta Band | Lawsville Cornet Band | Gibson Cornet Band | The South Gibson Band | Montrose Band | Taylor's Band | The New Milford Cornet Band | Rush Cornet Band | Springville Silver Cornet Band | Erie Band Of Susquehanna

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