Holdings Fine Arts and Applied Arts University Bands Otto Mesloh Music and Papers Finding Aid Holdings Fine Arts and Applied Arts University Bands Otto Mesloh Music and Papers Finding Aid By Adriana Cuervo and Mandi Goodsett
Title: Otto Mesloh Music and Papers, 1871-1913
ID: 12/9/131
Primary Creator: Mesloh, Otto (1867-1923)
Extent: 2.0 cubic feet
Arrangement: Organized in two series: Series 1, Original and Published Music, 1871-1902 and Series 2, Personal Papers, 1888-1913. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by title and Series 2 is unarranged.
Date Acquired: 05/29/2013
Subjects: Band Musicians, Bands, Brass Instruments, Concert tours, Music - Instruction and study, Railroad Accidents, Railroad History, Sousa, John Philip, Travel
Formats/Genres: Maps, Methods--Self Instruction, Musical instruments, Sheet music
Languages: English
Consists of original and published music, photographs, correspondence, dairies, maps, cornet and flute method books, and a flute, documenting Mesloh's career as a cornettist with the John Philip Sousa Band, multi-instrumentalist with the Elite Musical Four, and his work as a music teacher between 1870 and 1913.
Otto Friedrich Mesloh (1867-1923) was a multi-instrumentalist, former member of the Sousa Band, and cornet soloist. Mesloh was born in New Bremen, Ohio on February 26, 1867 to John Henry and Wilhelmina (Boesel) Mesloh. Although a machinist by trade, according to Karl R. Mesloh, "his love of music won out and Otto became a professional musician." His mother and two sisters, Emma and Dora Mesloh, were all pianists. As a young musician Otto played both cornet, flute, piccolo, and saxophone with The Big Six Band of Springfield, Ohio, and traveled with the Waite Comedy Company and the Bubb and Bennett and Waite's Western Company ensembles. He performed as a cornetist with the John Philip Sousa Band between September 7 and December 4, 1898. He also played as the band's cornet soloist durng the ensemble's Manhattan Beach concerts between June 17 and September 4, 1899. Other military bands that Mesloh performed with included the 69th Regimental Band, Callahan's New York Marine Band, the British Bards Band, and Somerset's Military Band.
After departing the Sousa Band in 1899, Mesloh joined the Elite Musicial Four, considered at that time to be one of of the greatest musical vaudeville teams which performed a variety of popular music selections on cornets, flugelphones, saxophones, and xylophones. The quartet was involved in a serious train derailment on June 11, 1906 when it was returning to New York City from a performance in Atlantic City. The ensemble's manager, George Van Duzen, was killed and Mesloh was badly injured. Mesloh was eventually able to continue his career as a performer and teacher in 1908, the injuries that he sufferred from this train accident impacted his work as a musician for the rest of his life.
Band Musicians
Bands
Brass Instruments
Concert tours
Music - Instruction and study
Railroad Accidents
Railroad History
Sousa, John Philip
Travel
Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Acquisition Source: Susan Boecker Durnbaugh
Acquisition Method: Gift. The items donated by Susan Boecker Durnbaugh, Otto Mesloh's great niece, were made in memory of her mother, Margaret Henning Boecker, Otto Mesloh's niece, and her grandmother, Emma Mesloh Henning, Otto Mesloh's sister.
Boston, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
Boston, 1894. J. F. Murray.
Brooklyn, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
Chicago, 1894. Matthews-Northrup.
Chicago, 1898.Rand, McNally, and Co.
Chicago, 1898. Rufus Blanchard.
Cincinnati, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
Cleveland, 1894. Rand, McNally, and Co.
Cleveland, 1894. Matthews-Northrup.
Columbus, 1897. R. L. Polk and Co.
Denver, 1906. Geo. S. Clason.
Minneapolis, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
Milwaukee, 1891. Matthews-Northrup.
Milwaukee, 1896. Rand, McNally, and Co.
Kansas City, 1893. Rand, McNally, and Co.
New Jersey, 1893. Rand, McNally, and Co.
New York, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
New York, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
New York, 1892. Rand, McNally, and Co.
New York, 1892. Rand, McNally, and Co.
New Orleans, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
Niagara Falls, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
Pennsylvania, 1886. Matthews-Northrup.
Pittsburg, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
Philadelphia, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
San Francisco, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
St John, 1896. J. S. Knowles.
St Louis, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
St Louis, 1896. Woodward and Tiernan Printing.
St Paul, 1895. Matthews-Northrup.
Toledo, 1892. Rand-McNally and Co.
United States, 1891. Matthews-Northrup.
Washington City, 1893. Matthews-Northrup.
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