Ervin Kleffman Explained

Ervin Henry Kleffman (born 11 January 1892 Dorchester, Wisconsin; died 2 April 1987 San Gabriel, California) was an American composer whose music is played by concert and marching bands throughout the world. He is best known for his marching band compositions, Salute to Peace and China Clipper.^[1]

His primary instruments were trumpet and violin.^[2]

Selected Compositions

• Salute to Peace
• China Clipper
• My Buddy (polka, for 3 cornets, or solo cornet or 2 cornets) with band; accompaniment arranged for piano Rubank, Inc., Chicago (publisher) (1933)
• Legionnaires on Parade (march)
• Pride of the Pacific (march)
• Rubato Caprice (for 3 coronets), Rubank, Inc., Chicago (publisher) (©1938)
• The Spartans (march)
• Jantzen Beach March
• Minstrel Parade March
• Hank and Lank (drum and trombone feature) Rubank, Inc., Chicago (publisher) (©1933)
• America the Glorious (march for band), dedicated to Hale Ascher VanderCook (1864–1949), C. Fischer (©1954)
• Pride of the Nation (commissioned for the Notre Dame University Band^[3]
• Onward and Upward
• Mounties on Parade
• East Meets West
• Blaze of Glory

Professional career

He taught at the American Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Musical College.

Education

• Bachelor and Master of Music - VanderCook College of Music, Chicago
• 1940 - PhD from the now defunct Emerson University in Los Angeles

Text publications

• Ervin H. Kleffman, How to Compose, Harmonize and Arrange a March for Full Band (1952)
• Ervin H. Kleffman, Course of Lessons in Musical Expression and Interpretation (1917)
• Ervin H. Kleffman, Series of treaties on band, orchestra and instrumental teaching (1920)

Notes and References

1. E. Kleffman, Composer, Music Teacher, Chicago Tribune, pg. A15, April 15, 1987
2. http://www.byjessekatz.com/ Jesse Katz (born 1962)
3. http://www.byjessekatz.com/ Jesse Katz (born 1962)