Charles Trussell aka Carlile Vernon, (1860, London, England – 1946, Bauple, Queensland, Australia) was a prominent musician in brass bands (British style) both in Australia and New Zealand during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He served as band master of a number of bands in both countries and was a significant composer and arranger of brass band music. He also was an adjudicator at brass band contests. He is also believed to have written vocal music. He is not to be confused with American banjoist and composer H. C. Trussell (of Quincy, Ill.) who was also active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Biography Early life Trussell commenced his musical education in a school boys band in London from the age of 11 playing tenor horn. At 14 he enlisted in the British Army as a band boy and served with the 2nd Battalion of the 14th Regiment of Foot and later the Prince of Wales Regimentp69, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna. in India. During this time he played euphonium and studied musical composition and harmony.
Australia In 1887, after 13 years service in the army, Trussell followed relatives to Australia and settled in Maryborough, before moving to Tasmania. Shortly thereafter he was appointed conductor of the Latrobe Brass (later Federal) Band. He also became conductor of the Deloraine Band, conducted a church choir, and later on entertained as part of a group called the Federal Minstrels. In 1895 he was married to Minnie Ada Biggins (b.1863 in Tasmania)
New Zealand In 1895, Trussell moved to New Zealand settling in Auckland where he was appointed band master of the Newton (later Auckland Battalion) Band. He also judged band contests, the first being the 1897 Goldfields Band Contest in Te Aroha."Papers Past" Ohinemuri Gazette, Paeroa, 3 February 1897 He was a prominent member of the North Island Brass Band Association. During this time, he played cricket for the St. Albans Cricket Club in Auckland."Papers Past" Auckland Star, Auckland, 10 April 1897
By 1900, he had moved to Nelson and was band master of the Nelson Garrison Band. It was about this time he had composed the Alexandra Dance."Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899 In 1901 he composed the march Joys of Life for the national band contest held that year in New Plymouth."Papers Past" "Test March for New Plymouth Contest", 22 February 1902
In November 1903 Trussell moved back to the North Island, to Waihi."Papers Past" "Waihi welcomes new Bandmaster C. Trussell in function at music hall" Auckland Star, Auckland, 30 November 1903 As band master of the Waihi Federal Band he improved the standard of the band to one of the best in the country.p69, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna
During this time his compositional output increased, with several marches written each year (including Rimutaka (1905), Mount Egmont (1905), N. I. B. B. A. (1907)), arrangements of operatic selections for contests (including L’ Ebreo (1904) and La Traviata (1906)) and a fantasias Concordia (1903) and The Tournament (1906).
He also competed in lawn bowling competitions in the region."Papers Past" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 17 December 1906.
In April 1907 Trussell hosted the prestigious Besses o' th' Barn Band from England as part of their world tour. Shortly after this, in May 1907, he and his wife were farewelled from Waihi where the town presented him with a marble clock in recognition of the contribution made to the town. Silver hair brushes were presented to his wife. In the press and in band circles, Trussell had become known as "the New Zealand March King"."Papers Past" Trussell described as New Zealand March King and N. I. B. B. A. as even better than Rimutaka and Mt Egmont Otago Witness, Dunedin, 11 December 1907
Confusion has arisen about a later band master of the Waihi Federal Band. Between 1910 and 1914, and again in 1925, the band master was a Mr. T. Russell. It has been assumed that Trussell and Russell were in fact the same person with Trussell's name being a contraction of T. Russell used for composing purposes. It seems this is a misunderstanding and that Charles Trussell and T. Russell appear to be two different people, as both apparently were conducting different bands in different places at the same time. Mr. T. Russell, like Trussell, appears to have originally come from England, but when he returned in 1925, he is recorded as having come back from England. He also apparently returned to England due to ill health. Charles Trussell would have been both coming from and returning to Australia rather than England at this time.
Return to Australia In 1907 Trussell moved back to Australia, this time settling in Ipswich, Queensland. He was appointed conductor of the Ipswich Vice-Regal Band, a position he held until his retirement in 1923. His wife died aged 58 in 1925 after an illness.
He then moved to live near Bauple, Queensland. He continued playing with bands and was active composing and arranging (mostly contest pieces for brass bands) during this time receiving high praise for the quality of his music, especially his various selections from Verdi operas
Charles Trussell died on 23 December 1946 aged 85. He is buried in Maryborough Cemetery.
Known works This list is most likely incomplete. All works listed are composed or arranged for brass band unless otherwise stated. Included are works by the pseudonymous Carlile Vernon. These works are indicated and are believed to be composed by Charles Trussell, but it has also been suggested they are works by Welsh composer William Carlile Bawden (b.1857, d.1925).
Alexandra (Dance) c. 1899"Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899. Annexation (March) c. 1903"Papers Past" "Garrison Band Concert"Wanganui Chronicle, Wanganui, 2 May 1903. Aviator (March) c. 1914 First appearance in newspaper"Papers Past" "Christchurch Tramways Brass Band" The Press, Christchurch, 26 December 1922.Copy held in Kerepehi Brass Band library Bridal Rose (Waltz) c. 1916"Papers Past" "Lyttleton Marine Band" Sun, Christchurch, 23 December 1916. Capiscolus (March) c. 1896"Papers Past" "Newton Brass Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 4 July 1896 This is probably not an original composition by Trussell as reported. It is most likely Trussell conducting a performance the piece Capiscolus (Quickstep) by American William E. M. Petee, 1883. A copy of this piece with Trussell's name stamped on it is held in the Kerepehi Brass Band Library. Concordia (Fantasia) c. 1903"Papers Past" "Garrison Band Concert" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 2 May 1903. Endymion (Waltz) Exhibition (Overture?) (March?) c. 1899 The Garrison (March) c. 1899 Gems of Italian Opera (arr. Trussell) c. 1900"Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 22 February 1900, 14 May 1902. Grand Junction (March) 1905 Dedicated to the Grand Junction Mine in Waihi"Papers Past" "Waihi Federal Band" Waihi Daily Telegraph, Waihi, 17 April 1905. Golden Grain (Waltz) c. 1927"Papers Past" "Broadcast in concert Australian Light Horse Band 2FC Sydney" The Press, Christchurch' 2 April 1927. The Golden North (March)Handwritten copy held in Kerepehi Brass Band Library. Guy Fawkes (March) c. 1900"Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" The Star, Nelson, 8 December 1900. Gympie City (March) I Lombardi (Selection) (by Verdi, arr. Trussell) c. 1906, Used as Test piece (A Grade) at Christchurch Contest 1907p95, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna."Papers Past" "1907 Test piece at Band Contest in Christchurch" Bush Advocate, Wairarapa, 15 February"Papers Past" "Kaikorai Band" Otago Witness, Dunedin, 10 April 1907."Papers Past" "Wanganui Garrison Band" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 21 June 1912 I Masnadieri (Selection) c. 1937 (by Verdi arr. C. Trussell) Il Bravo (Selection) (by Mercadante, arr. Trussell) c. 1910"Papers Past" "Onehunga Band" Auckland Star, Auckland, 26 January 1910. Ingomar (March) c. 1910"Papers Past" "Onehunga Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 13 January 1912. Joys of Life (March), Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the New Plymouth Contest, 1902p68, Challenging Brass, 100 Years of Brass Band Contests in New Zealand, by S. P. Newcomb, 1980 Powerbrass Music Co. Ltd, Takapuna."Papers Past" "Test March for New Plymouth Contest", 22 February 1902. Knight Errant (Fantasia) c. 1922"Papers Past" "Artillery Band Concert" Evening Post, Wellington, 22 April 1922."Papers Past" "Artillery Band" Evening Post, Wellington, 9 April 1923 L’Ebreo (Selection) (Apolloni arr. Trussell) 1902, Arranged specially as test piece for the New Plymouth Contest 1902"Papers Past" "Garrison Band Concert" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 2 May 1903"Papers Past" The Star, Christchurch, 16 May 1903 La Mia Speranza (Fantasia) c. 1901 arr. Trussell) (Some publications spell Speranizo rather than Speranza)"Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 14 May 1902"Papers Past" "Wanganui Garrison Band at Caledonia Sports" Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 15 January 1904 La Traviata (Selection) (Verdi arr. Trussell) 1906, Test Piece Waihi Band Contest.,"Papers Past" "Test piece Waihi Band Contest C. Trussell Ajudicator" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 10 November 1906 Re-arranged to suit Lismore Contest Test piece (sometime between 1907 and 1914) Luisa Miller (Selection) (by Verdi arr. Trussell) c. 1906,"Papers Past" "Waihi Federal Band to play at Regatta in Ngaruawahia" Auckland Star, Auckland, 17 March 1906 Used in 1920 for Brisbane contest Lyonia (March) c. 1914"Papers Past" "New Brighton Marine Band", 21 November 1914 Maritana (Selection) (by Wallace arr. Trussell) c. 1927"Papers Past" "Port Nicholson Band" C. Trussell listed as a New Zealander, Evening Post, Wellington, 1 October 1927. Martha Hill (March) 1905, Dedicated to the Martha Hill Mine, Waihi"Papers Past" Played at Auckland Mayor reception at Domain Waihi Daily Telegraph, Waihi, 21 February 1905 Mount Egmont(March) 1905, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Hāwera Contest, 1906"Papers Past" March specially written for the Hawera Band Contest Hawera and Normanby Star, Hawera, Wanganui Chronicle, Wanganui Herald, Whanganui, 24 October 1905 March."Papers Past" March specially written for the Hawera Band Contest, Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 4 January 1906 N G B (Nelson Garrison Band) (March) c. 1900"Papers Past" "Onehunga Brass Band" The New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 24 February 1912 N I B B A (North Island Brass Band Association) (March) c. 1907, Composed as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the New Plymouth Contest, 1908"Papers Past" "Hastings Band" Hastings Standard, Hastings 21 February 1908"Papers Past" Contest march for New Plymouth Taranaki Herald, New Plymouth Our Journal (Trio – cornet, tenor horn, trombone) Copy in Hugh McMahon Collection (Callaway Centre, University of Western Australia) Pagliacci (Selection) (Verdi arr. Trussell) c. 1920, written for the Bundaberg Contest 1920 The Patagonian (March) 1916, first newspaper article used as the A Grade Test March (quickstep) for the Dunedin Contest, 1923"Papers Past" "Christchurch Tramway Brass Band Concert" The Press, Christchurch, 23 January 1923 The Pateena Valse (Waltz) (piano), The title referring to the steamship Pateena The President (March) (composed as Carlile Vernon)Copy held by the "National Library of Australia" Pride of the North (March) c. 1914"Papers Past" "Garrison Band" Composed and presented to the band by Mr Trussell now of Queensland. Wanganui Chronicle, Whanganui, 29 June 1914 Princess Royal (Gavotte) (March?) c. 1899"Papers Past" "Nelson Garrison Band" Colonist, Nelson, 15 December 1899.