Orion R. Farrar Explained

Orion R Farrar was a marching band director and composer.

Farrar was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1866, son of an English shoemaker and an Indiana woman. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Warren, Ohio. At the age of 19, Farrar enrolled in the famous Dana Musical Institute in Warren, studying theory, composition, and cornet playing. Following graduation, he taught brass instruments and conducted the Institute band for 7 years. He resigned from Dana in 1896 to organize the Indiana State Band, which he led for two years. He then returned to Ohio to form the Ohio State Band (unrelated to Ohio State University). He moved to Youngstown, Ohio in 1901, where he led the Youngstown Military Band. In 1915, he conducted the Lima, Ohio Municipal Band. He became a member of Old Erie Masonic Lodge No 3 in 1894 and was active until 1904, when he was expelled for non-payment of dues.

The final years of Farrar's life remain a mystery. He was purported to have died in California in 1929, but this is undocumented.

As a march composer, Farrar is most remembered for "Bombasto", "Indiana State Band", and "Hi Henry's Triumphal". "Bombasto" found an enduring place in the circus band repertoire, as well as in the libraries of municipal bands throughout America.

Marches by Orion R Farrar

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