Vintage bands roll into Northfield to roll back the clock

From July 28 to 31, more than 30 ensembles will gather in Northfield, Minn., for the 2016 Vintage Band Festival. Although the performers include bands from as far away as Florida and Germany, perhaps the question to ask isn't so much, "Where are you from?" as it is, "When are you from?"

Looking at the roster, bands representing the mid-19th century form a populous group, with music from the U.S. Civil War era of particular interest. One such group is the 1st Brigade Band, based in Watertown, Wis. The 1st Brigade Band has been together since 1964, and its members play restored instruments from the mid-1800s. When compared to the brass instruments of today, many of these vintage instruments have a visibly different shape, with bells that extend over the player's shoulder, or a teardrop-shaped bell that extends up and away from the player's face.

According to its website, the 1st Brigade Band maintains a playing collection of more than 200 brass, woodwinds and drums, all of which are antiques except for five reproduction snare drums. The sound of the instruments invites comparisons to the music heard from carnival organs or on early Edison recordings. This video of the 1st Brigade Band marching in a parade in Evansville, Wis., captures the band's sound:

Beyond the 1st Brigade Band, other performers in the Vintage Band Festival include the Independent Silver Band from Mount Vernon, Ill.; the Original Drachenfelser Musikanten from Bonn, Germany; the Kentucky Baroque Trumpets from Baltimore, Md.; as well as many bands — representing a range of sounds — from the Twin Cities area, like the Copper Street Brass (who have frequently performed at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair), the Jack Brass Band and Banda La Verdadera.

The Vintage Band Festival comprises more than 100 concerts at various venues in and around Northfield, as well as in other cities stretching from Red Wing to Owatonna. A complete schedule of concerts and information can be found on the Vintage Band Festival website.