[Trombone-l] Civil War Bands

[Bruce Guttman]

They aren't professional, but Mayberrys "Yankee Brass Band" is an excellent
Civil War Re-enactment band.  They tour New England through the summer
playing on a collection of Over the Shoulder Saxhorns most of which belong
to Mark Elrod.

The Sexton Cornet Band is also excellent.

The Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band is recreating music of the late 19th
century, not truly Civil War.  Still, they have an excellent show.

One thing to be careful of in playing with Civil War Reenactors is that
they usually tune their instruments to mid-19th century standard: A=465 Hz.
 This puts them quite high relative to a modern A=440 orchestra.

If you merely want genuine Civil War era music, you can find the part books
to the 3rd NH Volunteers by going to the Library of Congress American
Memory site and going into the Music listings.  This music was arranged for
the 3rd NH Volunteers by none other than Claudio Grafulla (Washington
Grays) who happened to be band master for a New York regiment.  There is
also additional arrangements at that site.

There was also a set of books published by Kjos called "Heritage Americana"
which included a number of arrangements from different Civil War bands
arranged for a more modern ensemble: 2 cornets, 2 horns, 3 trombones,
baritone, and tuba.  The collection includes "The Star Spangled Banner"
from the 3rd NH Regiment Band, as played for the raising of the American
Flag over Fort Sumter in 1865.

Good luck.

Bruce Guttman
Member of Nevers 2nd Regiment Band of Concord NH
Formerly the 3rd NH Volunteers Band