Yankee Brass Band History
In 1986, Paul Maybery of St. Paul, Minnesota, and a small number of brass players from around the country gathered at the Hotel Coolidge in White River, Junction. Vermont. This event was the result of David Briggs, proprietor of the Hotel Coolidge, having met maestro Maybery as they played in the Macalester College Symphonic Band together. He invited Maybery to bring a sequel of his Rocky Mountain Brass Band Festival in Silverton Colorado to New England. Consequently, David Briggs, Founder of River City Arts in White River Junction, Vermont originated and produced the Yankee Brass Band Festival for several years.
The result of this initial gathering was the performances of the Yankee Brass Band in the Upper Valley of Vermont/New Hampshire. What was created was an historically accurate recreation of an American Brass Band circa 1840–1870 performing music of the period in an appropriate style and on the original instruments many provided by Mark Elrod of Germantown, Maryland.
Pictures of the band show the musicians in reproductions of “uniforms” that were common attire for bands of the era – firemen’s shirts (red flannel shirts) and red kepis. Later the band changed to blue officer’s jackets that where common with military style bands.
In the following years the band has performed extensively in towns throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
The Yankee Brass Serenade Band
The Yankee Serenade Band is a small group that presents a more “intimate” sound experience for audiences. Traditionally, the serenade band might perform at the homes of potential patrons and at events were a small group and more “gentle” sound would be more appropriate. The Serenade Band was added to our performances to provide audiences with the experience of hearing the delicate brass sound that characterizes this small ensemble.
The group has recorded several popular tunes of the period. You can hear a sampling of tunes on the Media page and also order CDs to hear the full version of tunes. Click here for a PDF version of the order form.
