The July Horn of the Month is a portrait of Americana. The American experience of summer band concerts on village greens, and parades in small towns across the expanding country during the 19th century, provides memories and traditions that have been part of the music culture that has defined town life. Especially as we approach the Fourth of July and the celebration of our country’s independence, it is appropriate to reflect on our common heritage and national story.
At first glance, an unlaquered cornet in Bb made of brass, doesn’t seem particularly special. The story of this instrument gives us an opportunity to glimpse the past and understand how music has been part of our lives and so also the nation.
The inscription on the bell of the cornet reads in 5 lines- Diamond/ starburst graphic with a “D” in the center/ W.J. Dyer & Bro/ St Paul/ Made in Austria. The valves are Périnet piston valves (valves are in the standard configuration: whole step, half step, step and a half). The lead pipe section is removable to change the key of the cornet; a Bb and A shank is present. The distinctive water condensation relief system is the shape of a “Y” so that with one touch both spit valves can be opened. The valves are numbered 91-92-93 with a 9 below the number 92 on the second valve. The cornet came with two mouthpieces. One unmarked old style “V” shaped mouthpiece, deep with a wide rim and the second a bowl shaped cup marked with “ F.COEUILLE PHILADA PA” and “pat apld for” on the opposite side of cup. A “2” is stamped on shank. This is a cornet mouthpiece with a very unique overhanging inner rim design, circa late 19th century. This mouthpiece was designed by Ferdinand Coeuille who worked for the Pepper factory of Philadelphia.
In addition, the instrument came with a leather case that has tooled engraving around the edges. There is also a bundle of the music inside the case. Publishers represented include A. Squire, Cincinnati OH; Geo. Southwell, Kansas City MO; Tolbert R. Ingram Music Co., Denver Colo.; E.T. Root & Sons, CHI.; The Pettibone Mfg. Co.; and J.G. Richards Co. Celeveland, O.. Included also is a band book and a copy of the Bulletin of New Music, Band and Orchestra by the John Church Company No.53. The music consists of waltzes, two-step marches, quick-steps, gallops, polkas comique, schottisches and a few overtures.
The extended provenance of the instrument tells us a great deal. The cornet was an import to this country marked “Made in Austria”. The cornet was stamped by the importer W.J. Dyer (born 1841) of London, England. Dyer immigrated to the U.S. A. and settled in Boston MA. He later moved further west to Makato, MN and finally built a thriving business in St Paul, MN(1882).
The last player of the Dyer cornet was Jay Grant (born in Denmark) who played in the Afton, MN town band. Jay Grant, head horticulturalist at the Minnesota State Prison was married to Evelyn Bolles daughter of Lemeul Bolles (b. 1792 – d. 1863. Mr. Bolles built the first private grist mill north of Prairie du Chien in the 1830’s at the beginning of the corn and wheat milling industry in Minnesota. Jay Grant’s father was Charles Grant who played this Dyer Diamond cornet in the Valley Creek Band and on the riverboat excursion from Prescott, WI to Stillwater, MN.
Near the end of her life, Mrs. Evelyn Bolles Grant (wife of Jay Grant) was living in the Bolles family house in Afton, MN. The young man from nearby Stillwater, MN who would mow the lawn was Jack Herrick. Jack Herrick would choose to play the French horn, not the cornet, but in remembering him fondly, Mrs. Grant would leave the cornet to Mr. Herrick in her will. Jack Herrick became Professor of Horn at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and was active as a freelancer in orchestras in Colorado and for many years was principal horn at the Peter Britt Festival in Oregon. One of Mr. Herrick’s students was Chestnut Brass horn player, Marian Hesse, who was given the cornet upon Mr. Herrick’s retirement from the University of Northern Colorado where Marian is now Professor of Horn.
This Dyer Diamond cornet is a reflection on how music seems to be important in so many lives as vocation or avocation and how the story of immigrants moving to build America enriched the culture of their new home.
(Some information was taken from the websites listed below)
Of Interest:
Kenneth Scott – on W. J. Dyer
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Antique-Musical-Instruments-2370/2010/11/odl-WJ-Dyer-cornet.htm
horn-u-copia.net
A Forum dedicated to gaining knowledge about all brands of antique, obscure and out of production brass instruments
http://horn-u-copia.net/
Archive information on W. J. Dyer
http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/FILES_DOC/STEINWAY_FILES/04.010.0085.6.24.PDF
History of Afton MN
http://stcroixscenicbyway.org/PDF/118%20Afton%20Valley%20Creek%20Tour.pdf
Lemuel Bolles grave marker
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=82642380
Washington County Historical Guide
http://projects.wchsmn.org/communities/afton/