Finding Aid for Mark Foutch Collection, 1935-2000 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Mark Foutch Collection, 1935-2000

ID: 12/9/59

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

Extent: 0.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: The collection is organized into two series: Series 1, Music; and Series 2, Photographs and Ephemera. Series 1 consists of two Sub-Series: Sub-Series 1, Music Manuscripts; and Sub-Series 2, Published Music.Each of these Sub-Series is organized alphabetically by composer.

Date Acquired: 06/23/2001. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Band Musicians, Bands, Clarke, Herbert L., Conductors (Music), Instrumental music, Mark Foutch Band, Music - United States, Piano, United States Marine Band, Vocal music

Formats/Genres: Methods--Self Instruction, Papers, Sheet music, Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Consists of manuscript and published music for wind band by Mark Foutch and other composers, piano scores and parts for wind instrument and vocal solo, cornet and trumpet etude books, photographs, sheet music cover art, an event program, and sound recordings documenting Mark Foutch's music career.

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 Musicians
Bands
Clarke, Herbert L.
Conductors (Music)
Instrumental music
Mark Foutch Band
Music - United States
Piano
United States Marine Band
Vocal music

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: Initial donation of music, photographs, and ephemera from an unknown source on June 23, 2001.

Acquisition Source: Unknown

Acquisition Method: Gift

Other Note: Whenever possible, an identification of the format of the music for each title (i.e. full score, condensed score, piano score and parts) has been noted with the corresponding abbreviations, FS, CS, PS, PA. Series 2 is organized alphabetically by subject.