"Door Latch Quickstep" (Band). By George H. Goodwin.
From the manuscript band books of the Manchester Cornet Band (founded in 1854), second set, no. 15.
Goodwin was leader of the Manchester Cornet Band for several years but apparently did not follow it when its director, Walter Dignam, took the band into service during the Civil War. It is recorded that "in 1863 Mr. Goodwin was leader in Wheeler's circus band, which position he left to accept an opportunity to work in the Springfield armory--the motive behind it being to form an armory band," (Manchester Cornet Band Notebook "band-scraps," Dignam Collection, Manchester Historic Association, Manchester, N.H.). He is a most individual composer, with some remarkably advanced ideas: the asymmetrical phrases of the first part of "Door Latch" are quite as striking as the brilliant soprano solo in the second, played here by Mr. Sanchez. In contrast to the rhythmic intricacy of the piece is its absolutely plain harmonic structure, suggesting, as does the solo passage, the possibility of improvisation; for it is just such simple harmonic schemes that have provided the most suitable basis for melodic improvisation in jazz.
Among Goodwin's other colorfully titled compositions in the Manchester books are "Pump Handle," "Water Witch," and "India Rubber Overhauls."