In 1857 _Rev. John R. Bowles_ organized in Chillicothe a choir for his church, under the leadership of _Jas. D. Hackley_. This choir was considered one of the very best in Southern Ohio. Its leader possessed a tenor-voice of rare sweetness and power, and was quite proficient in rendering church-music, and in directing the singing of the same by his choir. But a few persons in the State equalled Mr. Hackley in the possession of these qualities. Of the two bands, the one called the "_Scioto-Valley Brass Band_" was organized in 1855 under the leadership of _Richard Chancellor_ and _John Jones_. The other was called the "_Roberts Band_," and was organized in 1857, the directors being _Thomas Harris_ and _William Davis_. In 1859 these two organizations were united under the name of the "Union-Valley Brass Band," _Thomas Harris_ and _A.J. Vaughn_ leaders. This consolidation, composed of the best musicians of the two bands previously in existence, made a corps of performers that was unequalled in Ross and the adjacent counties, while it was one of the finest in the State. They owned a handsome bandwagon, and furnished the music for all such gatherings--irrespective of the color of the attendants--as county fairs, picnics, celebrations, political meetings, &c., throughout Ross County. This band contained several performers of such excellent natural and acquired abilities as would render them prominent among the best musicians of any section of the country. Besides those already mentioned as leaders, I would now refer to _Mr. William H. Starr_, one of the finest musicians of Ohio. He has been for a long time the leading spirit in all matters musical among the people. A good reader of all kinds of music, Mr. Starr easily gives it beautiful expression on any one of the many instruments used in a brass band of ordinary size. On several of these he is a pleasing soloist. His favorite is the [E-flat]-alto, while he is also a skilful arranger of music for them all. Mr. Starr has also composed a number of pieces for his own and other bands; besides others, a quickstep, a march, and a polka. As a teacher Mr. Starr has been quite successful. One of his former pupils is now the leader of a band. _Mr. Thomas Harris_ should also have special mention here. He was a superior [E-flat]-cornet player, a good bugler, and a very good performer on the clarinet; a good reader of music for each of these important instruments.