PORT JERVIS — Want to meet a famous German composer whose songs to Port Jervians are registered in the Library of Congress? Want to hear a 150-year-old march dedicated in 1873 to Port Jervis Fire Department’s ninth chief engineer? You can.
Mark your calendar for a special presentation during Broome Street Band’s first 2023 Summer Concert in the Park at Ulster Place (Drew Church if raining) to take place on Monday evening, June 26, 7-8 p.m.
Seth Riehl, 22-year member of Broome Street Band and co-director of Broome Street Wind Ensemble, has been an elementary band and general music teacher for Port Jervis School District for the past 23 years.
Riehl learned about The Fireman’s Grand March from a student’s parents (a parent with ties to the Broome Street Band) and was intrigued.
The composer of the march, German-born Joseph Kaspar (Caspar) Raff, wrote and dedicated this march to Austrian-born Port Jervis Chief Engineer Leopold Fuerth. He included a full color lithograph of Fuerth (in PJFD’s mid-1800s Chief gear) on its cover.
An original of this music is contained in Minisink Valley Historical Society’s library archive room and was researched as part of an ongoing fire department related project.
Having marched in the Port Jervis Fireman’s Parade for more than 20 years himself, Riehl said he has always seen the pride firefighters take in their jobs and the enthusiasm and support the local community gives them. He is also aware of the popularity marching bands gained in the 1870s, as Civil War soldiers/musicians returned home and began forming parade ensembles.
“I thought it would be a neat thing, since Broome Street Band has such a close connection to the Port Jervis Fire Department (especially Howard Wheat Engine Company #4), that we could play a piece of music dedicated to a Port Jervis fire chief from early in the department’s history,” Riehl said. “I thought it was especially auspicious that the piece was 150 years…
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