Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880) was born on Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, and came to the United States when he was 28 years old. There he joined the ranks of the New York Lothiers Brass Band which was later attached to the 7th Regiment New York National Guard. During that period he became acclaimed as a composer, arranger and conductor, as the press in both New York and Washington often covered his musical activities and was full of praise.

The clima...