Iowa's March King

Iowa's "real" Music Man was a Clay County Fair favorite for more than thirty years.  Karl L. King (1891-1971), composer, conductor and bandmaster became known as The March King.  According to a biography about King, written by Thomas J. Hatton, "The story of King's accomplishments serve as an inspiration to young and old, just as the strains of his music help to keep alive patriotism and pride in our American heritage.  For 18 years King was a bandsman and bandmaster for the Sells-Floto and the Barnum and Bailey's Circus bands.  Then in the next half century he became a major promoter for municipal bands in America while he directed the colorful Fort Dodge municipal band.

"King provided musical enjoyment for his beloved community of Fort Dodge and left a lasting imprint on the lives of these thousands of followers."  To honor his achievements, Governor William Beardsley presented King with an award in 1951 from the "Citizens of Iowa."  "Karl King, who as today's foremost composer of band music, has brought international renown to America and Iowa, has inspired millions of young musicians, has especially endeared himself to his community and state, and has added immeasurably to the musical art and culture of western civilization."  Although he never sought honors, King nevertheless won wide and lasting recognition through his great talents and hard work.  His fellow Iowan's nominated him for the Medal of Freedom in 1972, the nation's highest honor for a civilian.

The Spencer News-Herald, in the fair edition of 1936, carried this account about King, "Fashions in music may change from time to time, but it's doubtful whether Karl King and his famous Fort Dodge band will ever get out of fashion with Clay County Fair crowds.  As a result 'The March King' and his musicians will be back at the fair this year occupying their familiar place on the bandstand in front of the main grandstand.

"One of America's outstanding bandmasters and composers of band music, King has succeeded to the place of the late John Phillip Sousa as America's 'March King.'  More than 100 conductors in the past ten years have presented concerts consisting entirely of King's music and his marches are played by musical organizations ranging from The United States Marine band to the smallest high school band."

Popular compositions by King include "Barnum and Bailey's Favorite," "Black and Gold March," "The Avenger," "Emblem of Freedom," "Hawkeye Glory," "Iowa Centennial March," and "The Iowa Band Law March."

Karl King and his band first performed at the Clay County Fair in 1922.  In 1923, two huge tents in the southeast corner of the grounds housed King's band.  According to a press account, "The members not only stay in the tents overnight, but have their own chefs and eating hours.  Lack of rooms in most places where they play for fairs and celebrations led to this innovation and they no longer worry about rooms."

From that time on, Karl King and his band became yearly favorites at the Clay County Fair.  So much so, that the Fair Association honored him with a "Karl King Day" at the 1952 fair.  Fitting tributes were paid to King from the stage in front of the Grandstand on Wednesday, September 10th.  A special section of 500 seats in the grandstand were reserved so that boosters from King's adopted hometown of Fort Dodge could have special seats for the ceremonies.  And turn out they did, to honor their fellow townsman who had brought world fame to the city.  So well thought of was Karl King by the Fort Dodge community, that a couple of years prior to the 1952 ceremony, Fort Dodge business men decided to express their affections for him by presenting him with a car.  So great and generous was the public response, that sponsors could have presented him with several cars.

Following King's death in 1971, the Fort Dodge Municipal Band was renamed the Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge, in his memory.  W.B. Green, veteran band member and professor of music at Buena Vista College, was elected by the band as the new conductor.  Although the band had ceased playing the fair circuit by this time, it did receive perhaps its greatest musical opportunity, when under Green's direction, it was selected to represent the state of Iowa at the bicentennial celebration in Washington, D.C.  There, the band presented several concerts, including one on the Capitol steps and another at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Now under the direction of Reginald R. Schive, the band today is made up of local and area musicians, many of them band directors and teachers in the local communities.  All are dedicated to performing and preserving the music of Karl King, and to the perpetuation of the traditions and musical standards which he set for his band.

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