Battle of the Bands July 2006
Two bands of Civil War vintage instruments play in competition across the Canon River then join forces for “Home Sweet Home.” First Brigade Band from Wisconsin and 26th North Carolina Regimental Band based in Baltimore both played during the Vintage Band Festival held in Northfield, Minnesota during July 2006. Dr. Paul Niemisto of St. Olaf College was the organizer.
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Grafulla pretty much gets my vote. I’m an Eb cornet player, and although I’d have dumped Grafulla’s ex-sweetheart rather than play “Washington Grays” repeatedly, Grafulla’s arrangements and compositions are second-to-none when it comes to Civil War brass band music. Although I must also give nods to David Downing (for instance, his “Iron Clad Quickstep” is marvelous), Gustavus Ingalls, and David C. Hall. But Grafulla really is “DA MAN!”
I’m with you on that one Jeff. Whenever we played Washington Grays, I always listened for the Eb cornet line and marveled that they were able to play that on the march. I do think though that the band was stationary and that the troops marched by the reviewing stand. I was also very relieved that I was playing an Eb Alto rather than a cornet!