James Melville Fulton (1873–1940) was a composer, arranger, conductor, and music educator best known for composing
marches. He is often associated with the traditional British melody ''
Garry Owen
The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment formed in 1866. Its official nickname is "Garryowen", after the Irish air " Garryowen" that was adopted as its march tune.
The regiment participated in some of the largest ba ...
'' which he arranged for band in 1903. His most recognized march is ''Associated Press'', published in 1897.
His more than 245 compositions include more than 144 marches (more than
Sousa) as well as many waltzes, polkas, overtures,
schottische
The schottische is a partnered country dance that apparently originated in Bohemia. It was popular in Victorian era ballrooms as a part of the Bohemian folk-dance craze and left its traces in folk music of countries such as Argentina ("chotis"Span ...
s, reveries, and cakewalks.
Fulton was born in
Washington,
Pennsylvania and studied violin, cornet, euphonium, and tuba as a youth. He played cornet for orchestras and bands, eventually becoming the conductor of the Waite Dramatic Company Band and music director for the Hotel Rudolf in
Atlantic City
Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...
,
New Jersey. Starting in 1899, Fulton led the American Band from
Waterbury,
Connecticut and changed its name to "Fulton's American Band." He would later organize his own music publishing company and serve as music director for
Fenway Theatre __NOTOC__
The Fenway Theatre (1915–1972) of Boston, Massachusetts, was a cinema and concert hall in the Back Bay, located at no.136 Massachusetts Avenue at Boylston Street. Architect Thomas W. Lamb designed the building; its interior was "marble a ...
in
Boston.
His was conductor for the Waltham Watch Company Band for 13 years. He died of a heart attack in
Belmont
Belmont may refer to:
People
* Belmont (surname)
Places
* Belmont Abbey (disambiguation)
* Belmont Historic District (disambiguation)
* Belmont Hotel (disambiguation)
* Belmont Park (disambiguation)
* Belmont Plantation (disambiguation)
* Belmon ...
,
Massachusetts in 1940 while preparing the Belmont VFW Band for another state championship.
Fulton was married to M Margaret Sprow on August 9, 1893, and had a daughter named Alga N Fulton (b.April 22, 1893). They divorced on March 6, 1903.
He married Edith Hoxie on May 2, 1904.
He married Catherine S. Fulton (?) (d.1971) and they are both buried in an unmarked grave at the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge Massachusetts.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fulton, James M.
1873 births
1940 deaths
American male composers
American composers
American conductors (music)
American male conductors (music)
American bandleaders