The American Band
Encyclopedia
The American Band is a community band
based in Providence, Rhode Island
. It was founded as a military band in 1837 by Joseph C. Greene. During its early years, the members were some of the highest paid in the country - even higher than the New York Philharmonic in its first season. Since then, it has performed continuously, and is one of the oldest bands in the country. The band was at the First Battle of Bull Run
. From 1866 to his death in 1900, it was directed by noted march composer David Wallis Reeves
. During his tenure, Reeves took the group to a near-professional calibre. It has performed at the Boston Festival of Bands at Faneuil Hall
for the last 10 years. Many of the members are music educators, and others are involved in other careers.
Community band
A community band is a concert band ensemble, generally sponsored by the town or city in which it is located and consisting primarily of amateur performers...
based in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. It was founded as a military band in 1837 by Joseph C. Greene. During its early years, the members were some of the highest paid in the country - even higher than the New York Philharmonic in its first season. Since then, it has performed continuously, and is one of the oldest bands in the country. The band was at the First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
. From 1866 to his death in 1900, it was directed by noted march composer David Wallis Reeves
David Wallis Reeves
David Wallis Reeves , also known as D. W. Reeves or Wally Reeves, was an American composer, cornetist, and bandleader. He developed the American march style, later made famous by the likes of John Philip Sousa, and his innovations include adding a countermelody to the American march form in 1876...
. During his tenure, Reeves took the group to a near-professional calibre. It has performed at the Boston Festival of Bands at Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall , located near the waterfront and today's Government Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, has been a marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742. It was the site of several speeches by Samuel Adams, James Otis, and others encouraging independence from Great Britain, and is now part of...
for the last 10 years. Many of the members are music educators, and others are involved in other careers.
External links
- Second Connecticut March, by D. W. Reeves, performed by the American Band, from the National Jukebox
- Reminiscences of Ireland, performed by the American Band, from the National Jukebox