The British Musical Biography

[E] Bilton, J. Manuel, bandmaster and
composer, born at Plymouth, October 8, 1862,
son of a master-at-arms in the Royal Navy.
Educated at the Royal Naval School, Green-
wich, and joining the school band, his playing
the baritone at a concert of the band at the
Crystal Palace, 1875, attracted the attention
of J. Lawson, bandmaster of the Royal Ar-
tillery Brass Band, who took him into that
band. He met with a friend in Colonel Hime,
who helped him in every way. In 1886 he
was appointed Trumpet-Major of a Brigade of
Artillery at Limerick, and studied under
Stanislaus Elliott, and in 1887 entered Kueller
Hall. After the death of Charles Cousins
(May 1890) Bilton was made Director pro tern,
an office which he filled until his appointment
as Bandmaster of the 17th Lancers, in Feb-
ruary, 1891. He began composition very early,
and his first attempt was a Grand Overture.
This, rewritten and corrected, was performed
at Woolwich, in 1878. At the Mihtary Ex-
hibition of 1890, he was awarded prizes for a
Morning Service, Concert Overture, and a
work for brass, military, and string band,
singly and collectively. He has also written
a Wind Quintet, Cantata, " The Wreck of the
Hesperus," a Symphony, and Overtures.

entry id: 46-R-49