Bandwagon, May 1, 1953

Bandwagon, May 1, 1953. Note: Only some articles are included in this online edition. Illustrations are not included. The Circus Historical Society does not guarantee the accuracy of information contained in the information in these online articles. Information should always be checked with additional sources.

Circus Music a Real Challenge

The life of a circus musician may not be a soft touch, either musically or physically speaking, - but he wouldn't trade it! Joseph Rossi, maestro of the Silver Star Band of the Mills Bros. Three Ring Circus, is a case in point. Rossi, who come to this country in 1913 and has been playing sawdustland music for nearly 40 years, admits it is as much of an endurance contest as it has been painted. A circus band plays steadily for two hours at a clip, at all speeds from galops to waltzes, in all sorts of weather.

But there is a thrill to it and, today more than ever, it is a real challenge to a musician, says Rossi. 'Once, we used to play a march, 'Turkey in the Straw', a waltz, and some popular numbers. Programs were simple; noisy but hardly intricate.

"But today, playing a program as diversified and complete as this year's Mills Bros. performance requires a musical score more intricate than even grand opera or symphony concerts. We have to cut it fast. There are from 200-250 numbers in a single performance. There is jazz and popular music, symphonic strains, some opera, classical and semi-classical numbers, tangos, sambas, waltzes and dreamy stuff, marches, - a bit of everything. And it must be integrated to fit the ever-changing mosaic of acts and production numbers. It must express gayety, then speed, then suspense. There is no time to be bored, - or tired."

The Silver Star part of the Mills Bros. band name carries an especial story. It is in memory of Rossi's son, Mark, himself formerly a circus performer. He gave his life, at the age of 22, with the Army in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II and posthumously was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Father Joe carries these in his battered cornet case continually, and dedicates each musical program to his son's memory.

This year, the Mills Bros. band must play for the fullest variety of performers in its history - Chinese, Swedish, German, French, Italian, English, Spanish, South American, Greek, and other imported artists, plus American acts, animal turns and the new and elaborate ground and aerial production numbers for which original music was required. As Rossi puts it, it is a real challenge, but never a boring task.

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