Repasz Band

Harry J. Lincoln

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General Info

Year: 1904 / 2008
Duration: c. 3:20
Difficulty: III 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $68.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.00

For availability information, see Discussion tab above.

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Cornets/Trumpet I-II-III
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Bells
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Field Drum
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

There is reasonable doubt that Charles C. Sweeley composed all of the sixty or more works bearing his name. One composition, which is the center of a highly controversial matter, is the authorship of the famous Repasz Band March. That march is named for the Repasz Band of Williamsport, Penn., in which Sweeley played trombone. That band continues in existence in 2016.

It might never be determined who actually composed the march. The original band edition of the Repaz Band March, copyrighted by Sweeley and Brown in 1901, shows Sweeley as composer and Lincoln as arranger. A later transfer of rights is documented in papers owned by Sweeley's heirs.

As mentioned above, there was a theory that Lincoln was using Sweeley's name as a pseudonym. This was seemingly borne out by the fact that on file in the Copyright Division of the Library of Congress, the following information is recorded: "Repasz Band March and 2 Step, #9756, Copyright July 2, 1901, by Sweeley Music Co." The renewal by Harry J. Lincoln on July 2, 1928, as well as the original 1901 copyright entry, shows this pencil notation: "by Charles C. Sweeley (Pseudonym of Harry J. Lincoln, arr. by H.J.L.)" The appearance of pencil notations on copyright cards is not commonplace, and the notations could conceivably have been made by personnel of the copyright office who were given incomplete information.

Late in 1978, William Lichtenwanger, retired head of the Reference Section of the Music Division of the Library of Congress, discovered the following affidavit in a correspondence file at the Library of Congress:

"Before me, an alderman in and for the state and county aforesaid, personally appeared Charles C. Sweeley, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is not the author (composer) of the composition entitled "REPASZ BAND" March Two Step, and that this composition was written, composed, and arranged by Harry J. Lincoln,... and that said March was only purchased by me for a certain amount of money, that I may insert my name thereon as composer of the same, to the end of the first copyright term."

This evidence would seem to leave little doubt that Lincoln was the actual composer of the Repasz Band March. Moreover, an article entitled Romantic Story of The Repasz Band March, printed on the inside cover of the march at the time of the copyright renewal, states emphatically that it was composed by Lincoln, not Sweeley. The article explains that Lincoln had composed it five years before it was published, that he had been badly in need of money, and that he had been offered a flattering price [presumably by Sweeley] to permit Sweeley's name to appear on the music as the composer.

However, members of Sweeley's family are skeptical of the above affidavit. In 1988, they ordered a handwriting analysis on Sweeley's signature on the affidavit, comparing it with other signatures. The conclusion was that the signature could possibly have been a forgery. This would seem highly unlikely, however.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Repasz Band (Williamsport, Penn.) (Albert Nacinovich, conductor) – 12 April 2016
Washington Winds (Edward S. Peterson, conductor) – 2011

Works for Winds by This Composer

Alameda
Blaze of Honor
For All and Forever
Midnight Fire Alarm (arr. Krance) (1900/1960)
Repasz Band (arr. Glover) (1904/2008)
Repasz Band (arr. Yoder) (1904/1938)
Slidin' Sam (arr. Davis) (1918/2014)

Resources

Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Harry J. Lincoln." Accessed 11 April 2016.

Perusal score preview
Sweeley, C.; Lincoln, H. (1904). Repasz Band: March [score]. Vandersloot Music Pub. Co.: Williamsport, Penn.