Sylvia Gaviglio UMASS Trumpet 1968-1972

Sylvia Gaviglio was an excellent trumpet player and cornetist in particular that was in the same class as Bob. Although Sylvia was not a music major, Sylvia is well worth noting in this essay.  Sylvia was one of four particularly talented student trumpet players that Bob was associated with during his 1967-1972 UMASS-Career. The other three were Doug Purcell, Jerry Mirliani, and John Perko (a non-music major like Sylvia). Bob’s frequent rehearsals and consequential performances with these four trumpet players was always a pleasure and always put a smile on Bob’s face. Not only did these four trumpet players play well, they also were great fun to be around.

Sylvia might be a year younger than Bob, and if that is the case, Bob met Sylvia in the UMASS-Amherst school year that began in September 1968. Sylvia played with the Marching Band for sure, with almost certainty the Concert Band under the Direction of Larry Weed at the time where Bob played 1st Chair trumpet. In the Symphony Band under the Direction of Professor John Jenkins, from either 1969 or 1970. Sylvia played 1st Cornet, 2nd Chair and was seated to the right of UMASS Symphony Band Cornet and Trumpet section leader Bob Amato who played 1st Chair Cornet. John Perko played 1st Cornet, 3rd Chair and was seated to the right of Sylvia.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

An exceptional ‘FEMALE’ featured virtuoso cornet soloist that performed with the Carl Clair Circus Band was named Jessie Millar

Ms. Millar did not play in the band with the other male band members. Ms. Millar
was a featured virtuoso cornet soloist who exclusebly performed on a podium positioned in front of the band next to Band Director, Carl Clair.  And, with certainty, Ms Millar received a salary that was at least double of what the first chair cornet player in the band received. And, Ms. Millar was probably on call perhaps only 30 minutes a day to perform cornet solo’s with the Carl Clair Circus Band.  Second to Carl Clair, Jessie Millar was the highest paid member of the already well paid band.

In the 1890’s, The Barnum & Bailey Circus employed a top drawer traveling circus ‘Show Band’ that employed around 30 very capable musicians.  A circus of this nature (which there were many in the late 19th Century) performed a series of one day stands over a 6 to 8 month ‘tour season’ that moved daily to a different location (1 day stands) seven days a week without any days off.

The musicians provided fast paced musical accompaniment to the Circus Acts on shows that lasted 2 1/2 to 3 hours. And, there were normally 2 performances a day – 7 days a week.

The musicians also performed an approximate one hour circus parade concert while sitting in a large, ornately carved band wagon for about one hour while being pulled by a team of horses. The parade disembarked from the ‘Circus Train’ that housed all of the performers, musicians, staff, and equipment and ended at the ‘Big Top Show Grounds’.  Prior to each of the twice per day lengthy performances, the Circus Band would perform a formal ‘Concert’ that last 30-45 minutes.  (Needless to say, an 8-10 hour daily musical performance schedule that was required  7 days a week for 6-8 months was particularly grueling. However, this was the norm from 1870-1930 when the Circus was “KING” of entertainment in the United States.

Carl Clair’s Circus Band

The Author of this Essay, Bob has an exceedingly rare ORIGINAL copy of this fine poster
that was designed and printed by the Strobridge Printing Company in Cleveland Ohio to
Advertise the Barnum & Baily 1895 Season. The Author acquired this very rare Poster at
a Christies Auction in New York in 1987.

A young lady named Jessie Millar was the featured virtuoso cornet soloist.

Other than her name, and illustration on this 1895, Barnum & Baily advertising circus poster, (The only circus poster that was ever produced that featured a female cornet soloist.)
virtually nothing is known through written record about the career of the talented, cornet soloist, Ms. Millar.

However, in the late 1970’s, the Author of this Essay, Bob Amato had two multi hour face to face meetings with the then elderly Author, Glen D. Bridges.
Mr. Bridges authored ‘Pioneers in Brass’ which was first published in 1965. This book is the preeminent collection of profiles and photographs of the prominent brass players of the late 19th and early 20th century.

(The Author received 2 signed, First edition copies of this book from the Author, Mr. Bridges). Mr. Bridges had notes in his mountain of research that mentioned the talents of Ms. Jessie Millar from both musicans
as well as well known male virtuoso cornet soloists. Ms. Millar was highly regarded amongst her all male peers who in some cases received International acclaim.

“Two Hemisphers” Circus Band Wagon used by Barnum & Baily in 1903
and restored by the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_World_Museum

Back to Sylvia….