Event Details
10 Depot Street, Merrimack NH
!! 4th Grade Field Trips have concluded this month at #12 Schoolhouse !!
!! America250 Celebration on July 21st !!
!! The YANKEE BRASS BAND is coming July 21st !!
6:00 PM Open Doors: Free and open to the Public:
6:15 PM Pledge of Allegiance – Charles “Chuck” Mower
6:15 PM President’s Address – Charles “Chuck” Mower
6:30 PM Treasurer Report – Larry Shower
6:35 PM Chuck Mower Tidbit
Quick break.
7:00 PM Guest Speaker: Stephen Gasiorowski (American Brass Bands of the 19 th Century: Origins, Functions, and Fate.)
Program: (American Brass Bands of the 19 th Century: Origins, Functions, and Fate.)
Beginning with a description of the West Point Military Academy band of 1815, the presentation will
include an overview of the development of brass horns that led to the founding of many town bands in the
1840’s – 50’s. Many of these bands enlisted in state volunteer regiments that served during the Civil War.
Specific information on NH bands and musicians will illustrate the involvement of the bands throughout
the war and the resulting “Golden Age of Bands” post-war. Learn about some of the personalities in the
NH bands, stories of specific experiences of the bandsmen, and how the bands were maintained “off the
books” even after the War Department withdrew authorization for regimental bands. A collection historic
horns will be displayed and a few tunes played to demonstrate the horns and musical styles.
BIO: Steve Gasiorowski is a retired Ph.D. analytical chemist. While spending 35 years working as an industrial
chemist, Steve performed on low brass with many amateur and semi-professional ensembles in New
Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey. With a particular interest in 19th century
American brass bands, Steve continues to collect and play antique brass instruments in groups such as
Yankee Brass Band (37 years), the 12th NH Volunteer Regiment Serenade Band, a Civil War
reenactment band which he currently manages, and the Newmont Military Band of Windsor, VT,
modeled on bands of the 1890’s. He also plays bass trombone with the New Hampshire Philharmonic
Orchestra and the Carter Mountain Brass Band of Gilford, NH.