Recordings from the Humboldt Project

The following recordings were made Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  The instruments and music featured in this recording are part of the Carl Busch Papers and Music Instrument Collection at the Archives.  The brass instruments date from the mid 1850′s to about 1864.  The Humboldt Band Books date from about 1867-1880.  The Vintage Brass Band presented performances throughout the day recreating the July 4, 1876 American Centennial Celebration which took place in Humboldt, Kansas.  Newspaper accounts of this celebration mention specific selections performed by the Humboldt Brass Band, and today’s Vintage Brass Band performed these arrangements on instruments similar to what were heard in 1876.

Hail Columbia excerpt:

In 1876, Hail Columbia was an unofficial anthem of the United States of America.  Today it is played to introduce the Vice-President of the United States.  Be sure to compare this excerpt to the next, identical, excerpt played on modern brass instruments!  This recording was made outside in front of the Harding Band Building.  Pay no attention to the drum line rehearsing in the distance and busses passing in front of us.

Hail Columbia - Vintage Brass Band dir. Todd Cranson

Hail Columbia excerpt played on modern instruments:

This recording was recorded on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at the first rehearsal of the Vintage Brass Band.  This excerpt is posted to compare the sound of the modern instruments to that of the period instruments.  Technology has come a long way in 150 years, and everything in our world seems to be bigger and louder these days.  Take a listen and compare for yourself.

Hail Columbia - Vintage Brass Band dir. Todd Cranson

Red, White and Blue:

The next two tunes are offered in their entirety as a sound sampler of this mid 19th century town band music.  Patriotic music was a staple of town bands in the 1870′s.  The popular military aires of the American Civil War still found a place in the repertoire of town bands, but some new music was growing in popularity and replacing the older “hits” of the 1860′s.

Red White and Blue - Vintage Brass Band dir. Todd Cranson

Bass Ball Quick Step:

The third selection mentioned in the newspaper account of the Humboldt US Centennial Celebration was “a grand march.”  The Humboldt Band Books contain only one grand march, and it is incomplete.  The Vintage Brass Band chose the “Bass [sic] Ball Quick Step” simply because it sounded fun!  Hope you enjoy.

Bass Ball Quick Step - Vintage Brass Band dir. Todd Cranson