The Early American Brass Band Podcast

Episode 50 is our fantastic conversation with Dr. Gordon "Buddy" Cooke, author of the Anthology of Bugle Music. Buddy, Chris, and Stephen talk about the reserach that went into creating this book, as well as the history of how the bugle has been used in the United States military and civilian life.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

Visit our website for more free resources and show notes for every episode. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from The West Point Band Hellcats, and The 8th GM Regiment Band from George Mason University.

Episode Structure:

• 2:16 - Buddy's musical background

• 7:03 - Field music at West Point

• 13:17 - Distribution of field musicians throughout the Army's history

• 16:55 - Differences between bugles and trumpts, their uses

• 22:37 - The keyed bugle in the military

• 28:37 - Non-field music written for bugles, civilian uses for bugles

• 35:19 - Sousa's drum and bugle manual, the Marine Corps version of Taps

• 38:35 - Buddy's book "Anthology of Bugle Music", how the idea for the book started

• 43:42 - Challenges involved with researching and publishing a book

• 52:18 - Manual of French and European bugle calls

• 56:05 - Favorite bugle march and call

• 1:00:43 - Value of learning about field music

• 1:04:28 - Where you can find more about Buddy and his "Anthology of Bugle Music"

• 1:07:09 - Featured Album: "A Day in the Life of the West Point Hellcats"

Episode 49 is our fantastic conversation with Dr. Joseph Jefferson about Shout Bands in the United States, an under-researched topic and not well known part of brass history in the United States. Dr. Jefferson devoted his doctoral research to Shout Bands, and talks with Chris and Stephen about the history and tradition of these musical ensembles.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

Visit our website for more free resources and show notes for every episode. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from various Shout Bands and The 8th GM Regiment Band from George Mason University.

Episode Structure:

• 3:13 - Dr. Jefferson's musical background, how research interest in Shout Bands began

• 7:54 - Shout Band similarities and differences to Salvation Army and Moravian traditions. Learning by rote

• 21:09 - House of Prayer timeline

• 24:03 - Similarities and differences to early New Orleans Jazz tradition

• 26:55 - Structure of Shout Bands

• 30:42 - Music Shout Bands play, and the function of that music

• 36:56 - Feasibility of Shout Bands in the academic setting

• 41:37 - Musicians who have come from the Shout Band tradition

• 51:10 - Dr. Jefferson's research, and others who have researched Shout Bands

• 54:32 - Where you can find more about Dr. Jefferson and his research

Episode 48 features recording engineer Dr. Joel Crawford. Dr. Crawford is a former cornetist with Saxton's Cornet Band and author of "Performance Practice of Brass Band Music of the American Civil War: A Perspective from Saxton's Cornet Band". In this episode, we discuss Dr. Crawford's experiences playing with Saxton's, how he thinks it affected his musical career, how he would record an early American brass band, and much more!

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

Visit our website for more free resources and show notes for every episode. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from Saxton's Cornet Band (Lincoln and Liberty, Too!) and The 8th GM Regiment Band from George Mason University.

Episode Structure:

• 2:49 - How Joel became involved with Saxton's Cornet Band and early American brass band research

• 5:20 - Advice to listeners on how to become with early American brass bands in their area

• 7:10 - Why Joel chose to write his dissertation on Civil War brass bands

• 8:20 - Joel's current recording engineer career

• 10:30 - How early American brass band experience influences current recording engineer career

• 16:10 - Experience recording early American brass bands

• 18:50 - Describing the tonal sound of an early American brass band

• 21:10 - The benefits of playing in an early American brass band

• 27:00 - Thoughts on how Fennell recorded the Eastman Civil War cd and bell direction

• 34:05 - An overview of Dr. Crawford's doctoral dissertation on Civil War brass bands and their performance practices

• 42:30 - Experiences growing up in a community band scene

• 45:15 - Any particularly special nuggets of information or newly discovered research included in the dissertation

• 50:00 - Wax cylinder recordings

• 54:40 - The follow-up possibilities for Dr. Crawford's research

• 1:00:28 - Plug Opportunity

• 1:02:00 - Featured Album: "Grand Pianola Music" by the UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Wind Symphony

Episode 47 is our conversation with Kenneth Serfass, leader of The Antebellum Marine Band, and Ulysses S Grant reenactor. In the episode we discuss Kenneth's time in the Marine Corps, what led him to start The Antebellum Marine Band, their notable performances, and how he started reenacting as Ulysses S. Grant.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

Visit our website for more free resources and show notes for every episode. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 2:49 - How Kenneth became interested in American history and Ulysses S. Grant

• 7:36 - How Kenneth became involved in the reenacting hobby, how his experiences reenacting planted the seed for The Antebellum Marine Band

• 22:55 - Appearance and history of the 1800's Marine Band

• 32:05 - What got Kenneth excited about founding the Antebellum Marine Band

• 36:53 - How Kenneth started reenacting as General Grant, stories from appearances as Grant

• 40:07 - Filming as General Grant for the History Channel

• 47:40 - Advice for starting a band

• 49:13 - Notable performances with The Antebellum Marine Band

• 57:05 - What it's like being a period 19th century band in Gettysburg

• 1:06:32 - How reenacting has influenced Kenneth's bandleading

• 1:09:27 - Where you can find out more about Kenneth and The Antebellum Marine Band

Episode 46 is our conversation with Kenneth Brungess, author of Gold Rush Maestro: The Journal of August Wetterman, and researcher of California Gold Rush era brass bands. In the episode we discuss the history of gold rush bands, the music they played, occasions they played for, and much more. You can find out more about Kenneth by visiting http://californiagoldandbrassworks.com. Show notes for this episode can be found here: https://eabbpodcast.com/episode-46-interview-with-kenneth-brungess-gold-rush-brass-bands/

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from the Gold Rush Cornet Band, the El Dorado Brass Band, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 3:22 - Kenneth's musical background

• 7:15 - Kenneth's interest in the California gold rush, recreating the Columbia Brass Band in image and music

• 14:44 - Musical landscape of the California gold rush

• 21:42 - Makeup of California gold rush bands, types of music played

• 27:20 - The people of the California gold rush bands

• 32:34 - Difference between Cowboy Bands and Gold Rush Bands, types of occasions for which these bands played

• 37:27 - Repertoire, repurposing popular music of the day

• 38:29 - Musical example "Oh Susanna!"

• 44:35 -Activities of California bands during the Civil War

• 49:42- El Dorado Brass Band

• 57:20 - The Gold Rush Cornet Band

• 1:04:16 - Kenneth's 19th century instruments

• 1:06:30 - Where you can find more about the bands Kenneth has researched, his book, and the Featured Album

• 1:10:00 - Featured Album: Motherload! Musical Nuggets from the 1850's, '60s & '70s

Episode 45 is our fantastic conversation with Randi Bulla, past President of the North American Brass Band Association, solo horn with Brass of the Potomac, and member of the National Capital Band of the Salvation Army. We discuss the history of British brass bands in the United States, NABBA, and the Salvation Army.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from the Brass of the Potomac, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 1:57 - Randi's musical background

• 4:29 - Beginnings of Randi's involvement with NABBA

• 6:36 - Youth music programs in the Salvation Army

• 16:03 - Salvation Army and NABBA's influence on each other

• 20:42 - Early British style brass bands in the United States

• 24:12 - Salvation Army influence on community British brass bands

• 29:48 - British brass band sound concept

• 42:15 - Developing style

• 52:43 - Borrowing repertoire

• 58:32 - Randi's involvement with the National Capital Band

• 1:01:12 - Where you can find more about the groups Randi is involved with

• 1:05:55 - Featured Album: Firestorm, Brass of the Potomac

Episode 44 is our great conversation with Jim Ludlam, principal musician of the Fort Delaware Cornet Band, historian, and author. Jim speaks with us about how he got involved in 19th century brass bands, founding the modern Fort Delaware Cornet Band, recording projects, and his book The History of Community Bands in Salem County New Jersey. You can learn all about Jim’s projects at www.ludlambrass.com

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from the Fort Delaware Cornet Band, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 1:14 - Jim's musical background

• 2:43 - Jim's interest in history, getting started playing in 19th century brass bands

• 10:51 - Founding the Fort Delaware Cornet Band

• 14:05 - What intrigued Jim about the 19th century brass band music

• 17:52 - Performing 19th century brass band music with high school bands

• 21:20 - Music as political activism, Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation, John Meecham and Tim McGraw

• 33:25 - Fort Delaware Cornet Band instruments, members, uniforms, repertoire

• 49:22 - Hazelton Liberty Brass Band recording project

• 1:03:34 - Jim's research for his book The History of Community Bands in Salem County New Jersey

• 1:16:52 - Where you can find more about the groups Jim is involved in, and where you can buy his book

• 1:18:21 - Featured Album: Down In A Coalmine, Music of the historical Hazelton Liberty Brass Band

Episode 43 is our conversation with recurring guest Jari Villanueva about all things Abraham Lincoln. Chris, Stephen, and Jari discuss Lincoln’s love for music, his favorite tunes, relationship with the Marine Band, and how music impacted public sentiment during the Civil War.

Jari and his current projects can be found at https://www.tapsbugler.com/, and https://www.tapsforveterans.org/.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from The 8th GM Regiment Band, and The Federal City Brass Band.

Episode Structure:

• 0:19 – Episode dedication: Bob Costello

• 2:31 – Remembering Bill Hall

• 3:24 – Abraham Lincoln as a man and President, the movie Lincoln

• 7:51 – Lincoln’s relationship to music

• 16:27 – Lincoln’s favorite tunes

• 23:27 – Lincoln and the Marine Band

• 28:24 – Performers at Lincoln's White House

• 31:17 – Mrs. Lincoln’s letter to the Marine Band

• 33:16 – Lincoln’s view on music in the Civil War, political music of the time

• 43:02 – The Battle Hymn of the Republic

• 48:44 – Lincoln’s relationship to Dixie

• 54:27 – Pieces written about Lincoln, why he is inspiring to today’s artists

• 1:06:43 – The Federal City Brass Band's " Hurrah for the Union!: Music of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War" album

• · 1:15:42 – What Jari has been up to recently, and upcoming projects

• · 1:22:04 – Featured album: “Hurrah for the Union!: Music of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War”, The Federal City Brass Band

Episode 42 is our conversation with Dr. Tom C. Owens, Dr. Owens is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music History and Literature at George Mason University. He’s internationally regarded as an expert on Charles Ives’s life and music, and is the editor of Selected Correspondence of Charles Ives (Univ. of California Press, 2007) and a member of the board of the Charles Ives Society. In the episode, we talk about George and Charles Ives, their music, relationship, and much more

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from The President’s Own United States Marine Band, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 3:19 - Dr. Owens' musical background

• 5:27 - How Dr. Owens got interested in Charles Ives

• 7:06 - The Ives Archive at Yale University

• 8:44 - Dr. Owens' PhD dissertation topic - American sentiments in music

• 18:42 - Musical culture in New England in the mid-late 1800's, George Ives' early life and career

• 26:11 - George's brief service in the Union Army as a bandleader

• 29:03 - George's activities after the Civil War - Ives Cornet Band

• 32:51 - George's influence on Charles, their relationship

• 38:59 - Amateurism in music

• 44:56 - Town band culture, effect on Charles' music

• 48:43 - Band arrangements of Charles Ives' Music, Variations on America

• 53:34 - More correspondence between George and Charles, their personal and musical relationship

• 58:16 - Biographies of Charles Ives, looking back on the influence of his music

• 1:07:00 - Where to start if you're wanting to begin listening to Charles Ives' music

• 1:13:30 - Where you can find more about Dr. Owens' research and his book

Our Season 3 premiere is here! In this episode, Chris and Stephen talk with John Connors - musician, reenactor, and historian with the 122nd Army Band at The Ohio National Guard, The 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Band, and The 2nd Cavalry Brigade Band. We discuss his interest in history and reenacting, and how that field has impacted his musical career.

You can now support the show on Patreon and Teespring! The show is made possible by the support of listeners.

You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing [email protected]

Music in this episode comes from The 8th GM Regiment Band.

Episode Structure:

• 1:48 - Welcome, John's musical background

• 10:01 - Unique experience with the Marine Band

• 14:09 - How John got interested in American music history, and the National Guard

• 18:25 - How John began playing with 19th century American Brass Bands

• 22:52 - John's first reenacting experiences

• 27:55 - Forming of the 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Band

• 31:22 - Ideas and thoughts behind Civil War reenacting

• 41:19 - Recent changes in the reenacting field

• 53:38 - Options for visual representations of bands in the 19th century

• 1:02:15 - John's collection of 19th and 20th century musical instruments

• 1:14:32 - Where you can find more about John and the groups he's involved with

• 1:19:00 - Featured Album: Brass Music of the Civil War, The 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Band