The Boston Brigade Band (1821 – c. 1863) was a

brass Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve different colours and mechanical, electrical, acoustic and chemical properties, but copper typically has the larger proportion, generally copper and zinc. I ...

and

reed Reed or Reeds may refer to: Science, technology, biology, and medicine * Reed bird (disambiguation) * Reed pen, writing implement in use since ancient times * Reed (plant), one of several tall, grass-like wetland plants of the order Poales * Re ...

band that performed in

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

, and elsewhere in New England. Some of the musical pieces played by the band were subsequently published as sheet music, including "The Mammoth Cod Quickstep" of 1839. The band received acclaim in its day, particularly for its combination of both brass and woodwind instruments.

History

In 1821, at the request of Captain Martin Brimmer, Dan Simpson (proprietor of the Green Dragon tavern) "organized the Boston Brigade Band. ... Maj. Simpson was just the man to carry out successfully Capt. Brimmer's desire, for besides being well acquainted with the few musicians in Boston, he was the popular host of the tavern ... at which many of the old members

f the Green Dragon band F, or f, is the sixth letter of the Latin alphabet and many modern alphabets influenced by it, including the modern English alphabet and the alphabets of all other modern western European languages. Its name in English is ''ef'' (pronounce ...

often congregated.Drayley. Boston Daily Globe, August 6, 1900. Leaders of the Brigade Band included: Asa Fillebrown (1821–1826, 1828–1835);Drayley. Boston Daily Globe, August 7, 1900. James Kendall (1826–1827); Abel F. Knight (1836–1844); J.H. Seipp (1844–1848); Patrick S. Gilmore (1852, c. 1859); and E.H. Weston (c. 1858). Band members in 1824 included: John Bartlett (trumpet); James Clark (clarinet); Lemuel Clark (French horn); William Crombie (bassoon); Asa Fillebrown (clarinet); George W. Foster (octave flute); James K. Kendall (clarinet); Richard Madden (bugle); Joel R. Mann (clarinet); Moses Mann ( serpent); Willard W. Mann (clarinet); J. Henry Niebuhr (trumpet); Calvin Simonds (clarinet); Jonathan Stanley (bass drum); Asa Warren (bass horn); John B. Warren; Samuel Wetherbee (French horn); Charles Wright (cymbals). "William Crombie, who beat the cymbols, kept a tavern on the corner of Cambridge and Garden" streets. "Lemuel Clark was a crusty man, but a good musician. He became drum major of the band in September, 1830(?), on Centennial day. ... He wore a scarlet coat, flat cocked hat and carried a red baton, which he never knew how to swing, saying: 'He wasn't going to play any of them monkey tricks.'" The band often performed at appearances of the Boston Light Infantry. "The band uniform ... was especially neat and attractive and bore a marked difference to any then worn by the militia. The coat was blue, of the same style and pattern as worn by the officers of the U.S. army, with three rows of bell buttons on the front, and was further set off by a gold-laced collar." According to one account, "the band grew in proficiency, and became quite celebrated. It existed until 1861, when it was dissolved by Mr. Eben Flagg. After the band dissolved, some of the musicians joined the Edmands' Band and Orchestra, formed in 1863 by Thomas Ormsby Edmands.

Selected performances

* 1821 – September 23 – Brigade muster,

Boston Common The Boston Common is a public park in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest city park in the United States. Boston Common consists of of land bounded by five major Boston streets: Tremont Street, Park Street, Beacon Street, Charl ...

* 1823 – October 15 – Salem Light Infantry 18th Anniversary, Salem MAGeorge Mantum Whipple. History of the Salem Light Infantry from 1805–1890. Essex Institute, 1890. * 1825 – October 14: Salem East India Marine Society hall dedication. * 1831 – June – Boston Guards visit to Philadelphia. "The band gave two concerts at Musical Fund Hall, which were greatly applauded, and attended by 12 or 1500 persons." * 1830 – October 25 – Salem Light Infantry 25th Anniversary, Salem MA * 1832 – Laying the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple, Boston. * 1833 – October 16 – Salem Light Infantry 28th Anniversary, Salem MA * 1835 – October 16 – Salem Light Infantry 30th Anniversary, Salem MA * 1837 ** August 24 – Salem Light Infantry 32nd Anniversary, Salem MA ** October 4 – Parade on Berry Street, Boston * 1838 – October – Regimental parade, Boston * 1840 ** May 29 – Parade in

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, ...

, MA ** July – Encampment of the Boston Light Infantry, Springfield Mass. * 1841 – August 17 – Boston * 1843 – February – Odeon, Boston * 1844 ** May 30 – Abstinence Convention, Boston ** June 26 – Salem, MA ** August 15 –

Yale Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and one of the nine colonial colleges ch ...

commencement, New Haven CT * 1853 – May 26 –

Keene, New Hampshire Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,047 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 23,409 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. It is the county seat and the only city in ...

, centennial celebration * 1854 – August –

University of Vermont The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, commonly referred to as the University of Vermont (UVM), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Foun ...

semi-centennial celebration * 1855 ** Middlesex Cattle Show and Exhibition. "The Spading Match took place at ten, immediately after the plowing, and, as usual, drew a large concourse of spectators. The stirring strains of the Boston Brigade Band lent their aid to the occasion, and the scene soon became an animated one, the spectators at once fixing upon their favorite competitors, and becoming as deeply interested as the spaders themselves." ** October 9 – Salem Light Infantry 50th Anniversary, Salem MA * 1856 **

Brown University Brown University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is the List of colonial colleges, seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, founded in 1764 as the ' ...

commencement ** October 2 – Reception of President

Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804October 8, 1869) was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. A northern Democratic Party (United States), Democrat who believed that the Abolitionism in the United States, abolitio ...

in New Hampshire. * 1859 – Visit of the

Knights Templar The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, mainly known as the Knights Templar, was a Military order (religious society), military order of the Catholic Church, Catholic faith, and one of the most important military ord ...

of Boston to Masons in

Richmond, California Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was municipal corporation, incorporated on August 3, 1905, and has a Richmond, California, City Council, city council.

* 1863 – September 2 – Arrival of the

54th Massachusetts Infantry The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment that saw extensive service in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The unit was the second African-American regiment, following the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantr ...

at Commercial Wharf, Boston

Sheet music

1820s

* The Boston Brigade march: as performed by the Brigade Band at the reception of Genl. Lafayette; arranged for the piano forte by James Hewitt. Boston: Published by James L. Hewitt at his music store no. 70 Market St., 824? Also known as Lafayette's quick step.For more information on sheet music related to the band, see catalog of the

Boston Athenaeum Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and financial center of New England, a region of the Northeastern United States. It has an area of and a ...

; also Boston Public Library. * The Norfolk guards: favorite quickstep: as performed by the Boston Brigade band: arranged for the piano forte. New York: Published by James L. Hewitt & Co. at their music saloon, etween 1827 and 1829

1830s

* The Massachusetts Grand Railway march, as played by the Boston Brigade Band. Boston (197 Washington Street, Boston):

John Ashton John Ashton may refer to: Entertainment * John Ashton (composer) (1830–1896), Welsh musician * Will Ashton (John William Ashton, 1881–1963), British-Australian artist and art director * John Rowland Ashton (1917–2008), English author * John A ...

, . 1830* President Jackson's grand march, arranged for the piano forte by Mr. Peile. 2nd ed. New York: Published by J.L. Hewitt, 830–1835 "Performed by the Boston Brigade Band and presented by them to the publisher." * Corner-stone march. Boston (164 Washington St.): Published by C. Bradlee, 1832. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band at the ceremony of laying the cornerstone of the Masonic Temple, Boston. Dedicated to the fraternity by Ch. Zeuner." * Rangers quick step. Boston: Published for the author by C. Bradlee; Boston (141 Washington St.): sold by S.H. Parker; Boston:

Pendleton's Lithography Pendleton's Lithography (1825–1836) was a lithographic print studio in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts, established by brothers William S. Pendleton (1795-1879) and John B. Pendleton (1798-1866). Though relatively short-lived, in its ti ...

, 1834. "Respectfully dedicated to Capt. C. R. Lowell and the officers and members of the Boston Rifle Rangers. Performed for the first time by the Boston Brigade Band, August 26, 1834. Composed (in part) by T. Comer." * Rangers' trip to Westborough or lion quickstep. Boston: Published for the author by C. Bradlee; Pendleton's Lithogy, 1834. "Respectfully dedicated to Capt. Chas. C. Paine and the officers and members of the Rifle Rangers, Boston. Performed for the first time on their visit to the Lyon Farm by the Brigade Band at the opening of the railroad to Westborough, November 15th, 1834. Composed by James Hooton." * The Tiger quick step, composed by Thos. Comer. Boston (115 Washington St., Boston):

Oliver Ditson Oliver Ditson (October 20, 1811 – December 21, 1888) was an American businessman and founder of Oliver Ditson and Company, one of the major music publishing houses of the late 19th century. Early life and career Oliver Ditson was born in Bos ...

, 1834. "Respectfully dedicated to Capt. E. Weston and the Officers & members of the Boston Light Infantry, performed for the first time at their anniversary 1834 by the Boston Brigade Band." * City guards quickstep. Boston: Published by Oliver Ditson; Pendleton's Lithogy, 1835. "Composed by Walch, arranged for the pianoforte with a flute accompaniment and also for two flutes by Ch.Zeuner. Dedicated to the City Guards by the Boston Brigade Band." * Paine's quick step: respectfully dedicated to Capt. Chas. C. Paine, as performed by the Boston Brigade Band at the encampment of the Rifle Rangers. Boston: Parker & Ditson, 1836. * Pulaski quickstep. Boston: Published by Oliver Ditson; Boston: Moore's Lith., 1836. "As played by the Boston Brigade Band. Respectfully dedicated to Gen. J. L. C. Amee, first commander of the Pulaski Guards by James Hooton." * Sutton's quick step: respectfully dedicated to Capt. William Sutton, and the officers and members of the Salem Independent Cadets by the Boston Brigade Band. Boston: Parker & Ditson, 1837. *

Charles Zeuner Charles Zeuner (20 September 1795 Eisleben, Saxony7 November 1857 Philadelphia) was an American organist and composer originally active in Germany, then in Boston and Philadelphia in the United States. Biography He was baptized as Heinrich Christo ...

. Herz's quick step: as played by the Boston Brigade Band: arranged for the piano forte. Boston: Parker & Ditson, 1837. * The Berry Street Rangers quickstep. Boston: Published by H.Prentiss; T. Moore's Lithogy, . 1837 "Our Country is Safe" as performed by the Boston Brigade Band at the Volunteer Parade of the company Oct. 4th, 1837, and dedicated to the officers and members of the company by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed by Walch." * The Dennis quickstep. Boston: Published by G. P. Reed; Thos. Moore's Lithography., 1839. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Respectfully dedicated to Major Louis Dennis, officers, and members of the Hancock Light Infantry. Performed for the 1st time at their anniversary Oct.28th, 1839. Composed and arranged for the pianoforte and flute by B. A. Burditt." * Greys quickstep. Boston: Published by

Henry Prentiss Henry Prentiss (1801–1859) manufactured musical instruments, umbrellas and published sheet music, which he sold from his shop on Court Street in Boston, Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ...

; T. Moore's Lith., 1839. "Respectfully dedicated to Capt. John C. Park, officers, and members of the Greys. Composed and arranged for the piano by B. A. Burditt. Performed for the first time by the Boston Brigade Band at the encampment in Portsmouth, July 31st, 1839." * Hancock Light Infantry quickstep. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thos.Moore's Lith., 1839. "Composed and dedicated to Capt. Louis Dennis, officers, and members of the Hancock Light Infantry by Wm. Isenbeck. As performed by the Boston Brigade Band on their first parade, Oct. 28th, 1839." * Mammoth cod quickstep. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thos. Moore's Lith., 1839. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and respectfully dedicated to the members of the Mammoth Cod Association by B. A. Burditt. Arranged for the pianoforte by H. P. Monroe." * Stevens quickstep. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; T. Moore's Lithogy., 1839. "Composed and respectfully dedicated to Captain Seriah Stevens, officers, and members of the Pulaski Guards by Zaleucus (a member of the company). As performed by the Boston Brigade Band at their encampment,

Dorchester Heights Dorchester Heights is the central area of South Boston. It is the highest area in the neighborhood and commands a view of both Boston Harbor and downtown. History Dorchester is remembered in American history for an action in the American Rev ...

, August 8th, 1839."

1840s

* Baltimore Whig Convention Quick Step. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thayer, successor to Moore, 1840. "As performed with great success by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and arranged for the pianoforte by Zaleucus." * Camp Sargent quick step. Boston: Published by Geo.P.Reed; Thayer's Lith., 1840. "Performed at the encampment of the Boston Light Infantry, Springfield Mass. July 1840. Inscribed by the Boston Brigade Band to Capt.E.G.Austin, officers, and members of that corps." * Col. J.S.Amory's quick-step. Boston: Published for the author by H.Prentiss; Thayer, successor to Moore., c. 1840. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band January 1st, 1840. Composed by B.A. Burditt for the Independent Company of Cadets & by them respectfully dedicated to their commander." * Hall's quick step. Boston: Published by Oakes & Swan; Thayer's Lithogy., 1840. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and arranged by T.Bricher. Respectfully dedicated to Orderly John H.Hall by the Greys." * The Norfolk Guards quick step. Boston: Published by Oakes & Swan, 1840. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and respectfully dedicated to the officers and members of the Norfolk Guards by George O.Farmer." * The original castanet Spanish dance, la cachucha ic as danced by Madlle. Fanny Elssler; performed with unbounded applause by the Boston Brigade Band. Boston: H. Prentiss, 1840. * The Winnisimmet quickstep: As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thayer's Lithography, 1840. * Worcester Guards quickstep. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thayer's Lith., 1840. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band, September 19th, 1840. Composed and respectfully dedicated to the officers and members of the Worcester Guards by Samuel R. Leland." * Funeral march. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; B.W.Thayer's Lithography, 1841. "In memory of William H. Harrison, late President of the United States. Performed by the Boston Brigade Band, April 10th, 1841. Composed and arranged for the pianoforte by J.H.Seipp." * Mount Washington quick step. Boston: Published by Charles H. Keith; Thayer & Co's, 1842. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and arranged by Alexander Messinger, a pupil at the Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind. Respectfully dedicated to Dr.S.G.Howe, principal of that institution." * Trull's quick step. Boston: Published by Parker & Ditson; Thayer & Co.'s Lith., 1842. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and respectfully dedicated to Lieut. Ezra Trull Jr. of the City Greys by T.Bricher." * Twelve admired quick steps. Boston: Published by Chas. H. Keith; Thayer & Co.'s Lithogy., 1842. "To the memory of lost Poland composed and respectfully dedicated to the American nation by Adam Kurek, a Polish exile. As performed at the concerts of the celebrated Brigade Band of Boston, A. F. Knight, leader. Arranged for the pianoforte by Prof. J. R. Garcia of Boston." * Capt. Andrews' quick step. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thayer & Co's Lith., c. 1843. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and arranged for the pianoforte and respectfully dedicated to Captain Samuel Andrews and the officers and members of the Boston Light Infantry by C.L. Holbrook." * Winchester's quick step. Boston: Published by Chas.H.Keith; Thayer & Co's. Lithogy., 1843. "Respectfully dedicated by the officers and members of the Independent Company of Cadets to their commander Col. Wm. P. Winchester. Composed by Adam Kurek, introducing the Spanish air of El Abrazo de Vergara. Arranged for the piano by T.Comer. Performed by the Brigade Band at their concerts." * Buonaparte quickstep. Boston: Published by Henry Prentiss; Thayer & Co.'s Lith., 1844. "As performed by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed and arranged for the pianoforte by Wm. C. Glynn." * The celebrated Love not quick step, as performed by the Boston Brigade Band; arranged for the piano forte by J.H. Seipp. Boston (67 & 69 Court St., Boston): Keith's Music Publishing House, 1845. * Duke de Reichstadt's Grand March. Boston (33 Court St.): Published by Henry Prentiss, 8-- "As performed with great success by the Boston Brigade Band. Composed by Strauss."