Henry Schallehn

Henry Schallehn

Henry Schallehn. German musician active in Toronto in the middle of the 19th century: violinist, clarinetist, bandmaster, and teacher. Schallehn may be the John Henry Frederick Schallehn (born Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, Germany 4 Sep 1815, died London 27 Jun 1891) described in H.G. Farmer's The Rise and Development of Military Music (London 1912) as bandmaster of the 17th Lancers Band 1845-57, director of the Crystal Palace Band in 1854, and music director of the RMSM (Kneller Hall) 1857-9, all in England. David Sale's thesis, 'Toronto's pre-confederation music societies,' dates Schallehn's Toronto activities 1847-51. In 1849 Schallehn advertised in the Toronto Globe as a teacher of piano, guitar, and voice. He also participated 1849-50 in the Toronto Philharmonic Society's concerts and performed as conductor, concertmaster, piano accompanist, and violin and clarinet soloist, besides appearing with other musical societies in Toronto and Hamilton. In 1850 he was the singing master 'pro tem' at Upper Canada College, and in 1851 the city directory listed him as a 'professor of music.' In 'Music in Toronto' (The Mail, 21 Dec 1878) he is remembered as 'a versatile musician... a clever clarionet player and... bandmaster of the 71st Regiment.' He was the composer of the Cathcart Polkas (Nordheimer 1848), Scotch Fusilier's Guards Polka (Nordheimer 1848), Ontario Quickstep March (Nordheimer 1848), Assembly Galop (Mead, Brothers ca 1848), and other dances.

A brother, Ferdinand, was a violinist, and another, Theodore, a pianist whose published music includes The Lilla Polka and The Amy Polka (Nordheimer 1850) and Niagara Polka (Sage [Buffalo] 1853).