BALLYGOWAN FLUTE BAND
Wilhelm Zehle
Wilhelm Zehle was born in 1876 and lived until 1956. Born in
what was known as Prussia he began music studies in Magdeburgin in 1895 at age
nineteen. He eventually joined the Royal German Mobile 2nd Sea battalion at
Wilhelmhaven as a military bandsman. He was a very talented cornet and trumpet
player and soon became the band soloist.
In 1900 his battalion was ordered to
China to help quell the boxer rebellion and was part of the joint invasion
forces from Austria, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the
United States. Shortly before sailing, the band leader became ill and Zehle was
appointed in his place. Following his service in China he began writing the
suite "Sounds of Peking": which was later published.
On his return to
Germany he resumed his role as solo trumpet player. He left military service in 1903
taking the position of Administrator at the Civil Port Authority in
Wilhelmshaven. He won the prestigious march composition contest sponsored by
Hawkes and Son with the march Viscount Nelson in 1900, Army and Marine in
1901,Wellington (although he may not have named it thus) in 1906 and Trafalgar
in 1908.He had a great influence on future composers with the strong melodic and
harmonic structure of his marches. He was an enormous talent and his marches are
still performed around the world. Many of his marches are still being recorded
by major bands world wide, and the Wellington march is considered his
best.