Hermann Dossenbach papers

Hermann Dossenbach was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., in 1868, one of four sons of Mathias Dossenbach, an immigrant from Germany. The family moved to Rochester to enable the eldest son, Otto, to study music with Henri Appy. Hermann became a violin teacher and formed a dance orchestra. In 1900, he organized the Dossenbach Orchestra, which consisted of thirty players and gave a series of three afternoon concerts. By 1906, the orchestra had sixty players, with additional guest musicians, and the season consisted of six concerts. Dossenbach formed the Dossenbach String Quartet in 1906, which performed for 15 years at musicales at George Eastman's home, and also provided music at services of the Lake Avenue Baptist Church. In 1912, the Dossenbach Orchestra was reorganized as the Rochester Orchestra, with the backing of an orchestra fund and the addition of notable soloists.

In 1913, Dossenbach, with Alf Klingenberg, opened a school of music on Prince Street. When Oscar Gareisson joined in 1914, it was named the D K G Institute of Musical Art; and in 1915, it absorbed the work of the Rochester Conservatory. George Eastman purchased the school in 1918, and presented it to the University of Rochester as the basis for the new School of Music.

The Rochester Orchestra was disbanded in 1919 to make way for the new Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, which was being formed in conjunction with the new Eastman Theater. Dossenbach,was offered the conductorship of the smaller theatre orchestra, which he declined. He entered the ice business with his son-in-law until the death of his brother, Theodore, in 1924. Theodore Dossenbach had conducted the Rochester Park Band, and Hermann Dossenbach was offered the position, which he held until 1945. He died in Rochester on January 28, 1946.

Biographical information: Vincent Lenti, "Hermann Dossenbach and the Rochester Orchestra," Rochester History (vol. 42, no. 3) July, 1980.