Episode 17 is our conversation with Randy Cabell. We talk about Randy’s extensive arranging projects under the umbrella of the Digital Heritage of Virginia, his efforts to make music from the 19th century accessible to players today, and the history of the 19th Virginia Heavy Artillery Band. Their band books are the only band books from a Virginia regiment to survive.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress and The 8th GM Regiment Band. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing us at [email protected].

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 2:27 - Announcement about obtaining Randy's arrangements

• 3:29 - Randy's musical background

• 9:07 - How Randy got interested in Civil War brass band music

• 11:16 - Helping bands acquire reproduction instruments, ways to keep interest in 19th century brass band music alive

• 17:40 - Robb Stewart's reproduction instruments

• 18:26 - Randy's personal instruments and bands he's played with

• 19:47 - Randy's arranging projects

• 21:41 - 19th VA Heavy Artillery Band, “The Brass Band Journal For the Rest Of Us”, “Patriotic Songs and Airs of The CSA”

• 23:43 - 19th VA Band books

• 25:05 - Music from Jamestown project

• 26:19 - 19th VA band history

• 30:29 - How Randy decided what music from the 19th VA band books to arrange

• 34:36 - Some members of the 19th VA Band

• 36:31 - Challenges Randy came across when re-creating the 19th VA Band books

• 39:21 - Recording the band books

• 44:15 - Efforts to make arrangements accessible by including substitute parts, "The Brass Band Journal for the Rest of Us"

• 55:30 - How the American brass band tradition differs from the British brass band tradition

• 57:25 - Wrap-up

• 58:22 - Featured Album: “Dear Mother I've Come Home to Die Quickstep”, Crestmark Military Band

Episode 16 is our discussion with Jonathan Hodgetts, founder and owner of Wessex Tubas. This was our first international interview, and we can’t thank him enough for taking the time to speak with us. We cover how and why he started Wessex, what their instrument designing process is like, and how they got into reproducing historical instruments such as the ophicleide and their brand new Over-the-Shoulder Eb Bass.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress and The 8th GM Regiment Band. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing us at [email protected].

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 3:15 - Jonathan's musical background

• 6:00 - British style brass bands

• 8:39 - Orchestral and wind band playing

• 12:42 - Founding of Wessex Tubas and initial instrument production

• 18:09 - Expanding production, distribution, tweaking instrument designs

• 20:35 - How Wessex got into producing historical instruments

• 23:34 - Why Jonathan thinks historical instruments should be accessible to players

• 25:06 - Timeline from design to product

• 29:12 - Considerations before Wessex decides to design and produce an instrument

• 33:46 - Wessex's OTS Eb Bass, how they decided to make it, the horn it was modeled after, and "quality of life" design improvements

• 40:31 - Playing the new Wessex OTS Eb Bass

• 41:53 - More on the OTS Eb Bass

• 45:30 - Thoughts on reproducing historical instruments

• 54:15 - Where you can find more information about Wessex, their OTS Eb Bass, and their other instruments

• 56:19 - Show notes, social media, and our featured album for this episode: The Origin of the Species, The Wallace Collection

Episode 15 is our conversation with Dr. William Hall, Leader of The 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, talking about Bill's PhD research, how the band formed, Nebraska's role in the Civil War, and how the band operates today. You can find more information about Bill and the band at https://1stnebraskaband.wordpress.com/.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, The 8th GM Regiment Band, and The 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing us at [email protected].

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 3:30 - Bill's musical and educational background

• 9:10 - Dr. Hall's PhD research

• 16:15 - How Bill got involved with 19th century American brass bands

• 19:12 - History of the first Bill played with in Fremont Nebraska

• 20:52 - Instrumentation challenges the Freemont band faced

• 21:37 - What led to Bill forming the 1st Nebraska Volunteers Band

• 24:28 - Where the 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band got their instruments and uniforms

• 25:21 - Nebraska's role during the Civil War

• 27:46 - The 1st Nebraska Band's life during the Civil War

• 31:03 - What The 1st Nebraska Volunteer Brass Band looked like during the Civil War

• 33:36 - Uniforms and instruments of today's 1st Nebraska Volunteer Brass Band

• 40:36 - Music on the 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band recording project

• 45:04 - The obligatory period vs. modern mouthpiece question

• 48:41 - Relationship with the Liberty Band of Iowa

• 50:33 - Moravian Music Foundation resources

• 52:17 - Upright bell vs. OTS instrument practicality

• 54:29 - Notable performances of the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Brass Band

• 1:01:01 - Audience reaction to Civil War music and portrayal

• 1:05:30 - Where you can find more information on Bill and the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Brass Band

• 1:07:45 - Wrap up - come hang out with us on social media! Especially Twitter!

• 1:09:05 - Featured Album: 1st Nebraska Volunteers Brass Band Soundcloud page

Episode 14 is our discussion with David Goins of Saxton’s Cornet Band from Lexington, KY. We talk about how David got involved with Saxton’s, the history of the band, and the recent changes they made within their organization to be inclusive and represent the early part of the larger history of band music in the United States. This is an important conversation that is long overdue in the music field, and we appreciate David taking the time to have it with us. We plan on discussing this topic further with future guests.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress and The 8th GM Regiment Band. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing us at [email protected].

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 2:42 - Introduction

• 2:42 - 6:58 - Interview with David Goins: musical and educational background

• 6:58 - 10:26 - How David got involved with Saxton's Cornet Band

• 10:26 - 15:23 - History of Saxton's Cornet Band

• 15:23 - 18:46 - Instruments used by Saxton's Cornet Band

• 18:46 - 21:01 - Musicians and configurations of Saxton's Cornet Band

• 21:01 - 22:52 - Saxton's Cornet Band recordings

• 22:52 - 28:25 - Henry Saxton Jr. and the historical connection to the recording venue for some Saxton's Cornet Band albums

• 28:25 - 33:11 - Different types of concerts given by Saxton's Cornet Band

• 33:11 - 38:27 - How the mission of Saxton's Cornet Band has changed over the years, and what the most recent change means for the future of the band

• 38:27 - 45:44 - New changes to Saxton's Cornet Band

• 45:44 - 47:46 - Thoughts on reenacting as a general hobby, and living history

• 47:46 - 52:46 - Thoughts on playing Dixie in historical performance presentation settings

• 52:46 - 53:47 - Thoughts on the future of 19th century period brass band organizations moving forward

• 53:47 - 57:50 - 19th century brass bands at the college level

• 57:50 - 1:02:39 - Resurrecting music that hasn't been played in a long time, playing music arranged from piano scores

• 1:02:39 - 1:05:17 - David's involvement with the Lexington Brass Band

• 1:05:17 - 1:06:11 - Where you can find more about David, Saxton's Cornet Band, and the Lexington Brass Band

• 1:06:11 - 1:07:48 - Featured Album: High Bridge Brass

Episode 13 is our conversion with Bob Baccus, founder of the Olde Towne Brass based in Huntsville, Alabama. Bob is very active in the early American brass band community and has undertaken a massive project making modern engraved copies of period brass band music, helping countless bands expand their repertoire. We talk with him about this project as well as the history and goals of the Olde Towne Brass.

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, The 8th GM Regiment Band, and the Olde Towne Brass.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 3:03 - Introduction

• 3:03 - 6:02 - Interview with Bob Baccus, musical background and how he got involved with early American brass bands

• 6:02 - 7:50 - Information about the Olde Towne Brass

• 7:50 - 11:10 - Notable performances, reenacting experiences

• 11:10 - 17:13 - Instruments the Olde Towne Brass uses

• 17:17 - 19:45 - Research that goes into each Olde Towne Brass performance

• 19:45 - 22:15 - Reenacting logistics, gigs at national parks

• 22:15 - 26:07 - Modern vs. period mouthpieces

• 26:07 - 33:26 - National Civil War Band Festival, Frederick Fennell conducting the Olde Towne Brass

• 33:26 - 37:35 - How Bob and Terry Cornett engrave and arrange period brass music

• 37:35 - 40:33 - How Bob got started on his digitizing project

• 40:33 - 43:42 - Early American brass bands at the college level

• 43:42 - 45:55 - Olde Towne Brass recordings

• 45:55 - 55:30 - Goals of Olde Towne Brass performances

• 55:30 - 57:23 - Where you can find more about the Olde Towne Band, their published music, and their recordings

• 57:23 - 59:28 - Website and social media announcements

• 59:28 - 1:01:34 - Featured Album: Yankee Bands in Dixie's Land

Episode 12 is a great conversation with David Ohanian (French horn) and Norman Bolter (trombone), both former members of the Empire Brass Quintet. We talk about their two albums of 19th century brass band music - The American Brass Band Journal, and The American Brass Band Journal Revisited - the recording and origins of these albums. Both Norman and David offer their thoughts on a range of other topics, including brass playing today, and performing on period instruments vs. modern instruments.

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 1:50 - Introduction

• 1:50 - 4:23 - Brass Band Journal and Stratton Military Band Journal information

• 4:23 - 11:03 - Interview with David Ohanian and Norman Bolter. How the Empire Brass Quintet got started, and how these projects developed

• 11:03 - 13:40 - Period instruments vs. modern instruments for these albums

• 13:40 - 15:37 - Brass music from before the 19th century

• 15:37 - 19:27 - Structure of the two albums

• 19:27 - 24:05 - How additional musicians were chosen for the recordings and how Frederick Fennell got involved with the Revisited album

• 24:05 -27:52 - Norman's experiences recording these albums, and Rolf Smedvig's influence on Empire projects. Story from Tanglewood

• 27:52 - 31:10 - Reception of the albums and playing the Brass Band Journal music live

• 31:10 - 37:15 - More stories from recording sessions from both Norman and David

• 37:15 - 45:42 - Working with Frederick Fennell on the Revisited album

• 45:42 - 49:48 - Clarifying the history of the Empire Brass Quintet

• 49:48 - 52:39 - CD re-release information

• 52:39 - 56:24 - Thoughts on the album today

• 56:24 - 1:04:07 - Thoughts on period instruments and performances of music from the 19th century.

• 1:04:07 - 1:10:35 - General thoughts on brass playing

• 1:10:35 - 1:13:06 - Wrap up, where you can find David and Norman.

• 1:13:06 - 1:14:41 - Featured Album: The American Brass Band Journal, The American Brass Band Journal Revisited, The Empire Brass Quintet

*The thoughts expressed in this Podcast are the personal opinions of Dominic Giardino and do not necessarily reflect the views of Colonial Williamsburg.*

Episode 11 is a great conversation with Dominic Giardino. We talk about how Dominic got interested in historical performance, founding The Battery B 1st US Artillery Brass Band, working with friend of the show Michael O’Connor, and his research into early military music in America. Dominic is extremely well-researched and an active freelance historical musician and historical interpreter at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, The 8th GM Regiment Band, and an excerpt from Dominic’s solo performance of Fantasia "Somnambula" - E. Cavallini, arr. by G.F. Carney with Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band from their upcoming album.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 3:54 - Introduction, excerpt of Dominic playing, social media and website announcements

• 3:54 - 5:10 - Interview with Dominic Giardino, musical background and education

• 5:10 - 8:42 - How Dominic's MM from Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag in the Netherlands was structured, types of clarinets studied

• 8:42 - 16:06 - Meeting Michael O'Connor, forming the Battery B 1st US Artillery Brass Band, equipment challenges

• 16:06 - 18:38 - Battery B 1st US Artillery Brass Band uniforms and performances

• 18:38 - 25:01 - What inspired Dominic to apply for a Fulbright grant and pursue a MM in the Netherlands

• 25:01 - 29:23 - Early music at the college level, early music scene in the United States

• 29:23 - 31:36 - Historical music programs of study in the United States

• 31:36 - 38:09 - Dominic's current job at Colonial Williamsburg

• 38:09 - 51:05 - Dominic's research into 18th century military bands in the United States

• 51:05 - 1:06:03 - Choosing repertoire, importance of contextualizing the music you perform and acknowledging the surrounding history

• 1:06:03 - 1:07:59 - Where you can hear Dominic play, Music Box Concerts podcast

• 1:07:59 - 1:09:28 - Wrap-up, social media and website announcements

• 1:09:28 - 1:10:58 - Featured Album: Cheer Boys Cheer!, The American Brass Quintet

Episode 10 is a conversation with our good friend and colleague Barry Bocaner. We talk about Barry’s introduction into historically informed performance, performing and soloing with Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band, as well as his adventures learning about early brass instruments while traveling to instrument museums across the world.

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, The 8th GM Regiment Band, and Thomas Coates: The Father of Band Music in America, by Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 4:03 - Introduction, website announcements

• 4:03 - 11:47 - Interview with Barry Bocaner, musical upbringing and education

• 11:47 - 21:18 - How Barry got into historically informed performance, early early music gigs

• 21:18 - 32:33 - How Barry got involved with Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band, soloing with the band, discussion of “early music performance” culture in the United States, historically informed performance challenges

• 32:33 - 40:54 - The instruments Barry uses when performing with Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band and The Coates Brass Band: The 47th PA Vol. Infantry Regt. Band

• 40:54 - 47:36 - Trading instruments with Michael O’Connor, how Barry began acquiring period musical instruments

• 47:36 - 52:04 - philosophy on purchasing these instruments, purchasing to restore and play

• 52:04 - 54:34 - Thoughts on early 19th century brass players

• 54:34 - 1:04:03 - Barry’s travels to instrument museums across the world

• 1:04:03 - 1:12:48 - Brief history of the Boston Musical Instrument Company

• 1:12:48 - 1:14:42 - Where you can hear Barry playing, projects Barry is involved in

• 1:14:42 - 1:15:30 - Wrap-up, social media announcements

• 1:15:30 - 1:16:51 - Featured Album: Thomas Coates: The Father of Band Music in America, Newberry’s Victorian Cornet Band.

Episode 9 is our interview with Raymond Mase, professor of trumpet at the Juilliard School and former trumpet with The American Brass Quintet. In the episode we discuss how The American Brass Quintet came to record The Yankee Brass Band: Music from Mid-Nineteenth Century America (1981), A Storm in The Land: Music of the 26th N.C. Regimental Band, CSA (2002), and Cheer, Boys, Cheer!: Music of the 26th N.C. Regimental Band, CSA Volume 2 (2006). Raymond also tells us some stories about recording these albums, and offers his opinion on a variety of topics related to brass performance and professional chamber music.

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress, and The 8th GM Regiment Band.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 3:30 - Introduction, YouTube exclusive content, Addressing Gettysburg, The Digital Digest - History Tunes

• 3:30 - 7:57 - Interview with Raymond Mase, musical background and early musical experiences

• 7:57 - 10:40 - Time and experiences at The New England Conservatory, interest in a wide variety of music

• 10:40 - 17:39 - Auditioning for The American Brass Quintet, playing in a professional chamber music ensemble, culture within The American Brass Quintet

• 17:39 - 23:55 - The Yankee Brass Band album origins, where the music came from, and instruments used

• 23:55 - 26:10 - Other thoughts about the Civil War Music albums, historical authenticity considerations

• 26:10 - 31:46 - Other players on the albums, considerations for the Moravian albums, recording process

• 31:46 - 37:17 - Stories about Bob Sheldon

• 37:17 - 40:57 - Raymond's Boston Eb cornet, other instruments on the albums

• 40:57 - 46:10 - Origins of the Moravian albums, recording, and instruments

• 46:10 - 51:44 - Concluding thoughts on the albums, American Brass Quintet, Ken Burns Civil War documentary soundtrack

• 51:44 - 1:07:14 - Thoughts on repertoire, difference between "performing to get gigs" and performing music that aligns with your mission, and general musical culture

• 1:07:14 - 1:08:58 - Where you can find Raymond, his music, and his arrangements

• 1:08:58 - 1:10:20 - YouTube and social media announcements, show notes, and how you can get in touch with us

• 1:10:20 - 1:11:30 - Featured Album: A Storm in The Land, The American Brass Quintet

Episode 8 is our interview with Dr. Dennis Edelbrock, former trumpet with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” and current professor of trumpet at George Mason University. This great conversation covers the Classical Brass album Honor to Our Soldiers, filming the movie Lincoln and so much more. We also discuss Dr. Edelbrock’s time with The Pershing’s Own Brass Quintet and Herald Trumpets, with a lot of history you won’t want to miss!

Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from The Library of Congress, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Herald Trumpets, and Honor to Our Soldiers by Classical Brass.

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 0:00 - 3:21 - Introduction, Addressing Gettysburg Podcast, History Tunes

• 3:21 - 6:46 - Early musical life, college education, audition for The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"

• 6:46 - 9:39 - Ceremonial duties and formation of The United States Army Band Herald Trumpets

• 9:30 - 10:19 - Musical example: Hail Columbia, performed by The United States Army Band Herald Trumpets

• 10:19 - 14:38 - Salute to A New Beginning, by Dennis Edelbrock composition origins, Herald Trumpet with President Reagan

• 14:38 - 15:15 - Musical example: Salute to A New Beginning, by Dennis Edelbrock

• 15:15 - 16:44 - More Herald Trumpet stories

• 16:44 - 19:52 - Classical Brass Honor to Our Soldiers album project origins

• 19:52 - 29:00 - The music on the album

• 29:00 - 37:10 - The instruments used on the album, other performances that came after the album's release

• 37:10 - 41:48 - How Dr. Edelbrock got involved with the movie Lincoln

• 41:48 - 51:07 - Filming the movie, attention to detail in set, instruments, and costumes

• 51:07 - 54:37- Other qualifications to get on the band for Lincoln, and other elements of filming

• 54:37 - 56:40 - Importance of professionalism

• 56:40 - 57:43 - The most important aspect of filming: the food

• 57:43 - 1:02:28 - Meeting Steven Spielberg at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier after Saving Private Ryan and at Gettysburg, other 19th century brass band performances

• 1:02:28 - 1:06:00 - Information about George Mason's trumpet studio and the National Trumpet Competition

• 1:06:00 - 1:07:50 - Featured Album: Honor to Our Soldiers, Classical Brass