Boniface Gruenenfelder
(1854-1933)
Inducted in 1989
Boniface was born in Switzerland and received his training there. He came to New Ulm in 1878, making the community his permanent home.
He was a full-time musician from the beginning as a performer, band director, and composer.
Gruenenfelder organized the New Ulm City Cornet Band in 1886 and later the Great Western Band. In 1908 he organized the New Ulm Cadet Band for young people. He also directed many area city
bands. He composed and published many works for these city bands.
The New Ulm Municipal Band still has original compositions and one of his arrangements in the active file. The New Ulm Pioneer Band performed for his funeral in New Ulm.
Gruenenfelder Family Orchestra: Left to right, sitting: Albert,
Tony Alphonse. Standing Marie on the left, Boniface with the
trombone. Not-pictured: Father Leo (valve trombone)
