This collection consists of the extant portions of the J. E. Roach Banda Mexicana library of scores and parts, and includes sections 3, 4, and 5 of the original library. These materials total 208 volumes of music written for 73-instrument band and conductor, published between 1881 and 1906. J. E. Roach's Banda Mexicana was a touring concert band active between circa 1908 and 1911. American conductor, Captain J.E. Roach (dates unknown) recruited over 50 soloists from army and police bands across Mexico to form his touring group. The band also included male and female vocalists and dancers. Its repertoire consisted of standard band arrangements of the day, as well as traditional Mexican music. The gift was originally accepted because it contained music that was either arranged for the P.S. Gilmore Band or published by the P.S. Gilmore Band Library Publishing Company of St. Louis. A complete list of the score titles found in the collection is available; please contact the Special Collections in Performing Arts curator for assistance.
