Stonewall Brigade Band
| Stonewall Brigade Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Staunton, Virginia, United States |
| Genres | Brass band Marching band |
| Years active | 1855–present |
| Past members | A. J. Turner, T. M. Turner |
The Stonewall Brigade Band is a brass band based in Staunton, Virginia. It is the United States's oldest continuous community band sponsored by local government and funded, in part, by tax monies.[1] The band was formed in 1855 as the Mountain Sax Horn Band. It was also called Turner's Silver Cornet Band by 1859,[2][3][4] for its first director, A. J. Turner. At the onset of the American Civil War, the band was mustered into the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment under Stonewall Jackson.[5]
Contents
Antebellum history
In Staunton, Virginia in 1855 one David W. Drake wished to found a band. He enlisted the help of his former music teacher in Newtown. Drake prevailed upon A. J. Turner to move to Staunton.[1][6] These two and other white, male citizens of the city formed the Mountain Saxhorn Band.[7][8][9] The band's first formal concert occurred on July 17, 1857 at Union Hall on Beverley Street in Staunton. On April 4, 1861, Turner's Silver Cornet Band, together with the Staunton Musical Association and the Glee Club, presented at Armory Hall the last concert that was to be given before the Civil War.
Civil War
The band earned the name Stonewall Brigade Band soon after First Manassas,[10] and has been known as such ever since. In addition to their instruments, the band members also fought and acted as couriers and letter bearers[11] or medical assistants.[10] Turner's first son Charles was a courier.[12] In addition to entertaining the troops in the field, they frequently appeared in concerts in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Staunton, and elsewhere to help recruiting rallies, clothing drives, and war relief fund raising.
Post war reorganization
The band was reorganized in 1869 with A. J. serving as leader. His son T. M. Turner served as assistant leader.[13]
List of directors
Directors of the Stonewall Brigade Band include:
- A. J. Turner (1855–1884)
- F. R. Webb (1884–1892)
- Francisco Touchon (1892–1892)
- Thomas Prosho (1892–1893)
- J. M. Brereton (1893–19040
- Thomas H. Beardsworth (1907–1922)
- Martin G. Manch
- Arthur Johnson (1922–1925)
- Roy W. Wonson
- William H. Ruebush
- Josef Studeny (1940–1948)
- John P. Swiecki
- Paul B. Sanger
- Raymond Borrell
- Robert N. Moody
References
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