August Julius Stamm
Jan. 27, 1849 - Feb. 1937
August Julius Stamm was born in Estebruegge, Germany, near Hamburg. The children were reared in a musical atmosphere and were all given musical, vocal as well as instrumental Instruction at an early age. August took violin lessons from the violin teacher Meyer until his tenth year. He also took piano lessons from the same Mr. Meyer, but since Mr. Meyer was not a noteworthy pianist, August was soon sent to Buxtehude to receive instruction from the noted pianist Peters. This instruction continued until his nineteenth year. To earn money to pay for his education he played the violin in a dance orchestra, became a church organist, a flutist, and a double-bass player. He also gave piano lessons to young beginners. He walked to Buxtehude to receive his lessons and gave recitals in Hamburg.
August was drafted into the Hanoverian army and became a clarinetist in the army band of the "3rd Garde Infantry Regiment" during the Franco-Prussian War In 1870. The only time he "saw action" was while stealing grapes, a farmer took a shot at him. In 1871 after the war was over he received his higher musical instruction from the teacher Warneke in Hannover, and appeared in various cities in concerts and recitals.
In 1873, August came to New York. The well-known piano manufacturer Steck built a special piano for August with a chromatic keyboard and set him up in a studio near the salesroom on, 14 th Street near Union Square. He soon gave recitals in the Steck concert Hall appearing before musicians and an interested public. Unfortunately Steck's health gave out and he died too soon to introduce his new invention, the chromatic keyboard, to the world.
From 1873 to 1877, August was a teacher and concert player. He was also organist and director of a choir In Patterson, New Jersey.
In 1877, August married Elizabeth Veith. He had one son, Jules, by this marriage. That year he founded a music school and organized a string orchestra and brass band in Binghamton, New York. In 1879 he was conductor of an orchestra and organist in a church in Amsterdam, New York. He was also organist and, choir-director in one of the largest churches in Albany, New York. August became an American Citizen in New York on Oct. 29, 1881.
In September 1885 he moved to Los Angeles, California, because his ailing wife needed a warmer climate. That same year he gave several recitals in Bartel's Music Hall, the first with piano and the second with violin. While on a business trip to New York, his wife died. On his return to Los Angeles, he was given the position of choirmaster and organist in the Cathedral of St. Vibiana that he held for twenty years.
In 1891 August and his son Jules went to Germany where they visited relatives and gave recitals. On his return to Los Angeles he opened a music school from which many excellent musicians graduated. Among them was Ferde Grofe, the composer of "Grand Canyon Suite". In addition to his many-sided musical activities, August became, for fifteen years, director of the Turnverein Germania, an athletic and music club in Los Angeles.
On Aug. 20, 1893, August a second marriage united him with Alice Elizabeth Kottmeier. He had a daughter, Angelique, who died in her infancy and a son, Alfred, by this marriage.
In 1893, August, together with forty musicians, founded the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra of which he became the first conductor. He is recognized as the Pioneer of Orchestra Music in Los Angeles.
In 1907, August with his wife and son Alfred, made a one-year trip to Germany. After visiting relatives in Estebruegge, they spent most of their year in Heidleberg and Wiesbaden.
This information is from a biographical sketch by Emil Seifert and discussion with his son Alfred.