Etilmon J. Stark
Encyclopedia
Etilmon Justus Stark was a prolific ragtime
composer
and arranger, the eldest son of ragtime
publisher John Stark
.
Born in Gosport, Indiana
, While his birth date has been traditionally cited as 1868, he was actually born in May 1867. E.J. Stark moved to Missouri with his family in his youth. In 1885, his father, who previously had been a farmer and ice cream store proprietor, took the family to Sedalia, Missouri
and opened a music store, John Stark and Son. John Stark later became a music publisher and made his fortune by publishing Scott Joplin
's The Maple Leaf Rag. All the Stark children, including sister Eleanor and brother William were talented musically. However, E.J. was the one who was able to achieve the greatest success.
E.J. Stark became a music instructor, first at the Marmaduke Military Academy
in Sweet Springs, Missouri
. When Marmaduke burned in 1896, Stark moved to Wentworth Military Academy
in Lexington, Missouri
. Stark organized Wentworth's first band, and stayed as bandmaster from 1896 to 1905, composing The W.M.A. Cadets' March and some of his first rags, including Kyrene and Trombone Johnsen, during his tenure there. He later wrote several other notable ragtime piano compositions, all published by his father, including a few under the alias "Bud Manchester". He was also the arranger of a collection of ragtime pieces scored for band which became popularly known as the Red Back Book for its red cover. He died in Maplewood, Missouri
.
Among his compositions are:
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and arranger, the eldest son of ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
publisher John Stark
John Stillwell Stark
John Stillwell Stark was a United States publisher of ragtime music. He is best known for publishing and promoting the music of Scott Joplin....
.
Born in Gosport, Indiana
Gosport, Indiana
Gosport is a town in Wayne Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 826 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Gosport is located at ....
, While his birth date has been traditionally cited as 1868, he was actually born in May 1867. E.J. Stark moved to Missouri with his family in his youth. In 1885, his father, who previously had been a farmer and ice cream store proprietor, took the family to Sedalia, Missouri
Sedalia, Missouri
Sedalia is a city located about south of the Missouri River in Pettis County, Missouri. U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 65 intersect in the city. As of 2006, the city had a total population of 20,669. It is the county seat of Pettis County. The Sedalia Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of...
and opened a music store, John Stark and Son. John Stark later became a music publisher and made his fortune by publishing Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Joplin achieved fame for his ragtime compositions, and was later dubbed "The King of Ragtime". During his brief career, Joplin wrote 44 original ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas...
's The Maple Leaf Rag. All the Stark children, including sister Eleanor and brother William were talented musically. However, E.J. was the one who was able to achieve the greatest success.
E.J. Stark became a music instructor, first at the Marmaduke Military Academy
Marmaduke Military Academy
Marmaduke Military Academy was a boys' military school that operated in Sweet Springs, Missouri from 1891 to 1896.In 1891, Charles T. Farrar and Frank R...
in Sweet Springs, Missouri
Sweet Springs, Missouri
Sweet Springs is a city in Saline County, Missouri, along the Blackwater River. The population was 1,628 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sweet Springs is located at...
. When Marmaduke burned in 1896, Stark moved to Wentworth Military Academy
Wentworth Military Academy
Wentworth Military Academy and College is a private four-year college preparatory high school and military junior college. It is located in Lexington, Missouri, part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Wentworth is the oldest military academy west of the Mississippi River, and the...
in Lexington, Missouri
Lexington, Missouri
Lexington is a city in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,453 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lafayette County. Located in western Missouri, Lexington lies about 40 miles east of Kansas City and is part of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
. Stark organized Wentworth's first band, and stayed as bandmaster from 1896 to 1905, composing The W.M.A. Cadets' March and some of his first rags, including Kyrene and Trombone Johnsen, during his tenure there. He later wrote several other notable ragtime piano compositions, all published by his father, including a few under the alias "Bud Manchester". He was also the arranger of a collection of ragtime pieces scored for band which became popularly known as the Red Back Book for its red cover. He died in Maplewood, Missouri
Maplewood, Missouri
Maplewood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County. The population was 8,046 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Maplewood is located at ....
.
Among his compositions are:
- The W.M.A. Cadets' March (1898)
- Trombone Johnsen (1902)
- Kyrene (1903)
- The Black Cat Rag (1905)
- Brainstorm Rag (as Bud Manchester) (1907)
- Twilight (1907)
- Clover Blossoms Rag (1912)
- Billiken Rag (1913)
- La Mode (1913)
- Chicken Tango (1914)
- Gum Shoe Fox Trot (1917)
- Clover Blossoms Rag (as Bud Manchester)
- Valse Pensive