C.L. Barnhouse Company

Contact Information

Website: http://www.barnhouse.com/

Email: questions@barnhouse.com

Phone: (641) 673-8397

Address:
C.L. Barnhouse Company
205 Cowan Avenue West
PO Box 680
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577

Business Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00AM–4:30PM CDT

Publishers Information

Charles Lloyd Barnhouse, a self-taught cornet player, conductor, and composer, left his West Virginia home to find out what life would bring him through his musical talents. His travels brought him to southeast Iowa, where he assumed leadership positions with the town bands of Mt. Pleasant and Burlington, respectively; and starting his publishing enterprise in 1886 with catalog #1, “The Battle of Shiloh” March. In December of 1890, he settled permanently in Oskaloosa, as conductor of the Knights of Pythias band. His own works, along with those of Russell Alexander, Fred Jewell, and Karl L. King, led the C. L. Barnhouse Company to a position of prominence in the band world. During his career, Barnhouse developed his catalog to appeal to bands of lesser experience levels, as well as the more experienced professional and circus bands. His adopted home of Oskaloosa mourned his passing on November 18, 1929, as the town lost a beloved citizen and community leader.

C.L. “Lloyd” Barnhouse Jr. took control following his father’s death and led the company into a new era of music. The school band movement was just in its infancy, and Lloyd introduced the first publications designed specifically for school bands. Also, during the World War II era, the C. L. Barnhouse Co. became a major supplier of music for military bands.

In 1957, Lloyd Barnhouse turned over management of the company to his sons, Charles L. “Chuck” Barnhouse III and Robert Barnhouse, Sr. Lloyd served as an advisor to his sons until his passing in 1967. During Chuck and Bob’s leadership, the company introduced new product lines including the jazz catalog, marching band publications, and several texts and method books which have become standard. Bob’s son, Robert Barnhouse Jr. joined the company in 1979 and led the technological conversion of company front office, inventory and production systems. Bob Jr. retired in 2005. Music by a new generation of composers: Alfred Reed, James Swearingen, David Shaffer, Ed Huckeby, Steven Reineke, and Robert W. Smith became hallmarks of the present-day Barnhouse catalog. Additionally, advertising efforts expanded through the pioneering use of recordings. Bob Sr. retired in 1992 and died three years later. Chuck continued to serve the company as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors in his retirement until his death in 2012.

In 1987, Andy Clark joined the C. L. Barnhouse Company, bringing his very successful Norman Lee Publishing catalog with him. A veteran composer/arranger/publisher whose experience spans over 4 decades, Andy serves as President of the C. L. Barnhouse Company. In 1998 Andrew Glover joined the company, and as the President, manages the daily operations of the company. Both Andys bring an eclectic mix of skills and experiences in music education, performance, publishing, and composition and arranging. In addition to maintaining and enhancing the Barnhouse Company’s position as an industry leader in band music, the business has expanded to include distribution of several excellent catalogs.

See Also

William Allen Music
PlayinTime Publications
Daehn Publications
Claude T. Smith Publications
Jay Chattaway Music
BOVACO
The Hindsley Transcriptions