On July 19, 2007, we enjoyed an evening of Civil War music history as the 12th New Hampshire Regiment Volunteer Serenade Band played traditional Civil War music with their brass instruments. As it turns out, The Manchester Historic Association in Manchester, NH is the largest repository of Civil War music, in the country. The six members of the band, dressed in authentic Civil War attire, first played the Port Royal Books’ arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The song did not become our national anthem until 1831.

The director of the band took the time to explain the history of New Hampshire regiments during that war which pitted brother against brother. There were fourteen NH regiments, in all, and nine of those had their own band. The bands assisted in keeping morale high, and they also visited field hospitals and played for the injured soldiers.

The significance, origin, and composition of each instrument was explained. The pitch of the instruments makes them incompatible to play in modern bands. Two coronets are E flat, side action instruments, while B flat is the ordinary tuning for a coronet. He pointed out that the E flat bass horn has its sound outlet pointing backwards of the player. This is because the band would be marching in front of the troops, and “hopefully, in front of the horses!”

We enjoyed song after song, and although we were unable to stay for the entire concert, due to sudden illness, we certainly felt enriched by all that we saw and heard during the first half of the concert. Other songs featured were “Bonnie Blue Flag,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” “Colonel Meeker’s Quick Step,” “The Rebecca Waltz,” and “The Vacant Chair,” (still played today,) and “The Soldier’s Return.”
In New Hampshire, we are totally blessed to have so many talented people who are so willing to share their time to present programs at the fine quality museums in this state that feature excellent educational programs, such as this one. We thank the musicians and the Manchester Historic Association for providing this event.

Patricia Cummings

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