Sandwich Guards Cornet Band

Step back in time to an evening of stirring melodies and historic pageantry with a Civil War–era cornet band concert, performed on authentic 19th-century brass instruments. This immersive musical experience brings to life the sounds that once echoed across battlefields, town squares, and campgrounds during one of the most defining periods in American history.

Featuring richly resonant cornets, alto horns, tenor horns, baritones, and over-the-shoulder saxhorns, the ensemble faithfully recreates the distinctive tone and style of mid-1800s brass bands. Each piece is performed using historically informed techniques, offering audiences a rare and vivid glimpse into the past.

The program includes a blend of patriotic airs, sentimental ballads, and lively marches drawn directly from Civil War–era repertoire and military band traditions. Audiences will recognize period favorites alongside lesser-known gems that once uplifted soldiers and civilians alike. From rousing battlefield calls to tender melodies that spoke of home and longing, the music captures the emotional breadth of the era.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply love the power of live brass music, this concert offers a unique opportunity to hear the past as it once was—authentic, moving, and unforgettable.

Special Guest Representative Steve Xiarhos will provide opening remarks for this patriotic occasion.

Included with museum admission. Members and children 12 & under are free. Seats are limited – registration recommended.