William Scouton

William H. Scouton (October 3, 1853 — May 18, 1940 ) was an American composer and conductor.

Life and career

Scouton was born on October 3, 1853, in Monroeville, Ohio.

Little is known about the early years of him. A listing in an 1897 (Toledo) city directory states that he was a musician (no earlier listings). In 1900, he became director of Strobel's Band, a well-known music organization in the Midwest at the time. That band presented concerts and performed often for parades, balls, weddings, and funerals.

It was during the association with Strobel's Band that Scouton composed and published a large number of popular marches. In 1905, he joined the Lyon & Healy music publishing company. He also taught music in Toledo, beginning in 1907.

In addition to his marches, Scouton composed quadrilles, schottisches, overtures, waltzes, mazurkas, and other forms of music for piano, orchestra, and band. Most of his works were published between 1897 and 1902, a brief period for such a large output. It is believed that he also played cornet in several circus bands.

Compositions

• 1901 King Over All March
• Mancipation Day Parade March
• On To Victory March
• The Bridal Party March
• The Great Captain March
• The Nation's Pride March
• The Treaty of Portsmouth March

Death

Scouton died on May 18, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio. He was 86.