Welcome to the historic Stonewall Brigade Band Bandroom in Staunton, Virginia, a site rich with musical and historical significance. Established in 1855, this band holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous community band in the United States sponsored by local government. Its origins trace back to the Mountain Sax Horn Band, formed by David W. Drake with the help of Edwin Cushing and A. J. Turner, a former music teacher. Initially, the band was known as Turner’s Silver Cornet Band, after its first director A. J. Turner.
In the years leading up to the American Civil War, the band began to build its reputation by performing at civic events and political rallies, even playing for Presidents Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce. When the Civil War broke out, the band was mustered into the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment, part of the legendary Stonewall Brigade under General Stonewall Jackson. The band earned its enduring name, the Stonewall Brigade Band, following the First Battle of Manassas.
During the war, these musicians were not only entertainers but also served as couriers, letter bearers, and even stretcher-bearers, assisting surgeons on the battlefield. The rich sound of their brass instruments, which were considered personal possessions, accompanied them through many significant campaigns, including the Valley Campaign and the Seven Days Battles.
After the war, the band reorganized in 1869 and continued to be a vital part of the community, performing at events such as Arbor Day in Gypsy Hill Park. An interesting anecdote from their post-war history is when President Ulysses S. Grant visited Staunton in 1874. Upon hearing the band play, he reportedly spoke the words, ‘The Immortal Jackson,’ a nod to their storied past. This band is not just a collection of musicians but a living link to the past, their instruments and stories echoing the trials and triumphs of history.
