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John Behr was born in Boston,
Mass., December 22,
1855. His was always of a musical temperament, and at an early
age he manifested a devoted love for harmony. At the age of
twelve years he began seriously to study music under the direction of
Henry Heindl, and progressed rapidly. Later he studied with
Bernhard Listeman. His first professional appearance was as a
member of Gillmore's
Band. When fourteen years old he took part
in the great World's Peace Jubilee in Boston, and was the youngest
musician by many years of thousand musicians composing the
organizations appearing in the programs.
He was a prominent
figure in Boston musical circles, his membership in the Harvard
Symphony Orchestra and his efforts in helping organize the Boston
Symphony Orchestra, in which he also held membership, placing him in
touch with those in sympathy with the plan of bettering Boston's
musical standards.
Mr. Behr came to Kansas City in 1885, and
first gained local prominence by conducting the festival held in the
Exposition building, in which the five hundred voices under his
direction were assisted by Gilmore's Band. He has labored
consistently since living here to develop the local musical standards,
and has accomplished much with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, of
which he is director. He is also director of the Willis Wood Theatre orchestra, numbered as the best of the local theater
orchestras.
His wife was formerly Miss Ella Backus.
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