Stonewall Brigade Band
| Stonewall Brigade Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Staunton, Virginia, United States |
| Genres |
Brass band Marching band Concert Band |
| Years active | 1855–present |
| Past members | A. J. Turner, T. M. Turner |
The Stonewall Brigade Band is a community concert 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. Originally a brass band, the band was formed in 1855 as the Mountain Sax Horn Band. It was also called Turner's Silver Cornet Band by 1859, 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.
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. These two and other white, male citizens of the city formed the Mountain Saxhorn Band. 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.
The band earned the name Stonewall Brigade Band soon after First Manassas, 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 or medical assistants. 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.
The band was reorganized in 1869 with A. J. serving as leader. His son T. M. Turner served as assistant leader.
In 1885 the band presented the daughter of Stonewall Jackson a wedding gift of a souvenir band roster printed on white satin.
The earliest records list fourteen original members:
These men made up the original, officially authorize Fifth Regiment Band:
Directors of the Stonewall Brigade Band include:
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