Echoes of the 1860s

The years surrounding the American Civil War became a gathering place, a focusing point in the development of the American wind band with several major peronages providing leadership during this vital era: Harvey and Allen Dodworth, Thomas Eaton, Patrick S. Gilmore, David L. Downing, Thomas Coates, and especially Claudio S. Grafulla. The current compilation is drawn from the band books of the Third Regiment, New Hampshire Band, also known as the Port Royal band, along with those of the 26th Regimental Band, North Carolina Troops, CSA, were the source of music for Frederick Fennell’s historic recording in the early 1960s of music of the Civil War. Hunsberger’s contemporary arrangements for today’s band include Grafulla’s setting of “The Star Spangled Banner,” “General Lee’s Grand March,” “Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming,” “Port Royal Galop,” “Lorena,” “Storm Galop,” and two fife and drum calls: “Recruiting Sergeant” and “Retreat.”