The period from 1865 to 1930 is widely regarded as the time that the professional concert band enjoyed exponential growth and appeal as a popular musical attraction in American culture. The work of impresario conductors such as Patrick Gilmore, John Philip Sousa, Edwin Franko Goldman, and others during this time helped to establish the concert band as one of Americäs foremost cultural musical entities. Through the advent of radio programming featuring concert bands, as well as the ambitious tours of celebrity conductors and their bands, concert band music was enjoyed by millions of Americans in city parks, concert halls, town festivals, and living rooms nationwide. This book explores the life and creative output of one of the most important leaders of this movement in mid-twentieth Century New York: Paul Lavalle.

Dr. Christopher Nicholas is the Director of Bands and Director of Woodwind and Brass Studies at the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University. Prior to his appointment at the Chapman Conservatory, Dr. Nicholas served as the Director of Bands at Colorado State University.