Conductor, S. S. ILIFFE
THE VICTORIA SINGERS
This Band was formally established in 1886, but the old Highfields Band, which is the nucleus of it, had its beginnings in 1870. The Leicester Imperial Band has had many successes and has won altogether nearly £3,000 in prizes. They have been Midland champions and have have won several shields at the Crystal Palace. The Bandmaster won renown as a boy trumpeter on cornet and trumpet.
Although the Overture, 'Poet and Peasant', is easily the first favourite of the few works of Suppe's which are now heard, ' Pique Dame ' must be a very good second. He was one of the many musicians whose great gifts appeared at an early age, and who had to overcome some opposition before he was allowed to take up music in earnest.
He spent a busy life as conductor and composer, and one authority reports that he left no fewer than two Grand Operas and 165 stage pieces of less serious dimensions, as well as at least two big works for the Church.

"Buffaloes and Bears"
Brendan K. Vallings