Finding Aid for Mark Foutch Brass Band Music and Bass Drum, ca. 1885-2003 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Mark Foutch Brass Band Music and Bass Drum, ca. 1885-2003

ID: 12/9/148

Primary Creator: Foutch, Mark R. (1922-2002)

Extent: 24.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Materials are organized into Five Series: Series 1) Band Books is organized by part; Series 2) Music Library is arranged into two subseries-- Subseries 1) Octavo Scores and Subseries 2) Concert Band Scores--both subseries are organized alphabetically by title of piece; Series 3) Sound Recordings is organized chronologically; Series 4) Bass Drum and Textiles is unarranged; and Series 5) Concert Posters and Photographs is arranged alphabetically.

Date Acquired: 03/25/2016. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Band Concerts, Bands, Bands (Music), Champaign, Illinois, Circus, Conductors (Music), Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956), Instrumental music, Mark Foutch Band, Music - United States, Percussion, Sousa, John Philip

Formats/Genres: Clothing and Textiles, Posters, Sheet music, Sound Recordings, Uniforms

Languages: English

Consists of sheet music, band books, octavo scores, concert band scores, textiles, concert posters, photographs, sound recordings, and bass drum used by the Mark Foutch Band of Champaign, Illinois, documenting Foutch's tenure as its founding band director between 1954 and 1977, and later by guest conductors of the ensemble.

Mark Robertson Foutch (1922-2002) was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on July 22, 1922. The son of Mark R. (sr.) and Grace Wormood Foutch, he began his music studies at an early age, playing horn at age 7. He attended Springfield, Illinois schools as a child. In 1939, Foutch joined the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus band. After a brief musical career, performing with conductors like Sir Thomas Beecham, Karl King, and Col. Armin Hand, he joined the army. Foutch performed euphonium with the 33rd Infantry Division band during WWII. Following the war, he received his optometry degree from Monroe College of Optometry in 1947 and began practicing in Central Illinois.

Throughout the 40s and 50s, Foutch regularly performed with the Champaign Elks Band, the Springfield Municipal Band, the Ansar Temple Shrine Band (Springfield), and the Danville Consistory Band. He also performed as a sit-in with the 505th Air Force Band when it was directed by WOJG Kenneth Berger. Throughout this period, Foutch composed pieces for wind band. His piece Air University was premiered by the 505th Air Force Band on June 16, 1952. In 1954, Foutch formed his own commercial ensemble, "The Mark Foutch Brass Band", which he led until 1977. The band was based in Champaign, Illinois and performed concerts in the the style of the John Philip Sousa Band. In addition he served as the director of the Ansar Temple Shrine Jazz Band (Springfield).  Foutch died on November 6, 2002 and was buried in Champaign, Illinois' Mount Hope Cemetery.

Band Concerts
Bands
Bands (Music)
Champaign, Illinois
Circus
Conductors (Music)
Fillmore, Henry (1881-1956)
Instrumental music
Mark Foutch Band
Music - United States
Percussion
Sousa, John Philip

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals:

Additional sound recordings donated by Sue and Bruce Wood on March 29, 2016.

Addition of band octavos and concert music donated by Jerry Loyet on May 11, 2016.

Acquisition Source: Jerry Loyet

Acquisition Method: Gift.