• Thomas Coates: Northampton Quickstep

Prior to and during the American Civil War (1861-1865), brass band music flourished in the United States. Indeed, so pervasive and iconic were brass bands during this period that they may rightly be considered the defining musical sound of America in the 19th century. This recording brings to life the authentic character of a military band in the U.S. during the Civil War and features the remarkable music of Thomas Coates.

Produced to commemorate and coincide with the 150th Anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the American Civil War (2011-2015), this recording is performed by the Coates Brass Band. Much of the music has here been recorded for the first time. In striving to recreate the artistic style of the best musical ensembles of the Civil War period, performance-practice details such as tempo, articulation, dynamics, phrasing and balance have all been carefully researched and integrated into these performances.

The Coates Brass Band, which honors the musicians of the 47th PA Vol. Infantry Regt. Band, specializes in historically informed performance of mid-19th century brass music. All of the music on this recording was performed on original instruments and mouthpieces of the period. The individual players have dedicated themselves to meeting the challenges presented by these early brass instruments, manufactured at a time when the relatively new technology of valve systems and overall instrument design were not standardized and were undergoing nearly continuous experimentation and change.

This is the music that sent soldiers off to war in 1861, and stirred, inspired, consoled, and uplifted them and their loved ones in towns and cities across America throughout the war’s
duration, and beyond. It is hoped that this recording will help to create a new appreciation among contemporary audiences for this music and a fuller understanding of its major influences on 19th-century American life.

Ten of the eleven works by Thomas Coates on this disc were collected and edited by Dr. Michael O’Connor, Assistant Professor of Musicology at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Through his research, Dr. O’Connor has made available to modern-day audiences extraordinary music that likely has not been heard in more than a century. [ Douglas F. Hedwig ]

DR. DOUGLAS F. HEDWIG Music Director and Conductor
Professor of Music at The City University of New York-Brooklyn College, Douglas Hedwig previously served on the faculty of The Juilliard School. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Juilliard School in 1986. Trumpeter with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 27 years (retired), he was also 1st Cornet & Trumpet Soloist with the renowned Goldman Concert Band from 1976-2005. Director and Conductor of the Brooklyn College Conservatory Brass Ensemble since 1985 (leading concert tours of England, Germany and Switzerland), he also conducted the conservatory’s wind ensemble, orchestra, and contemporary ensembles. His professional conducting career began as Assistant Conductor of The Juilliard Brass Ensemble at the Bergen Music Festival, Norway, in 1989. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Orvieto Musica (a chamber music festival in Italy), he conducted the festival wind and brass ensembles in concerts throughout central Italy (1994-95). In 1995, Hedwig founded and conducted the first school-based British-Style brass band in the United
States, the St. Hilda’s & St. Hugh’s Band of New York City. He was Executive Producer and Music Director of the 1998 Telly Award-winning documentary, “Fanfare”. Since 2007, Major Douglas Hedwig has served as Commander and Conductor of the 89thArmy Band, New York Guard, performing concerts, ceremonies and parades throughout New York State. In spring 2012, he guest-conducted the West Point Band in the premiere performance of his work for concert band, Tone Poem on Taps, composed in honor of the 150th Anniversary of America’s most famous bugle call, Taps.

THOMAS COATES (1803/10–1895)
Northampton Quickstep

THOMAS COATES
Buckley’s Minstrels

GAETANO DONIZETTI (1797-1848) | Arranged by Thomas Coates
Death Song from Lucia di Lammermoor
B-flat cornet solo: Robert High
E-flat cornet solo: Jeff Stockham

THOMAS COATES
Turk

TRADITIONAL (Patriotic Union Song)
Red, White and Blue | Arranged by John F. Stratton

WILLIAM TANZER (1700-1783)
St. Martin’s

LOWELL MASON (1792-1872)
Hamburg

THOMAS COATES
Temperance Quickstep

THOMAS COATES
Cottage by the Sea 2-Step

GEORGE H. GOODWIN (1826-1903)
Waltz

SIR HENRY R. BISHOP (1786-1855) | Arranged by John F. Stratton
Sweet Home

THOMAS COATES
Dustin’s Quickstep

THOMAS COATES
Quickstep (Manchester Cornet Band Books, Set 2, No.32)

A. KURRICK
Dead March

THOMAS COATES
Uncle Tom’s Cabin

PHILIP PHILE (c. 1734-1798) (Traditional Patriotic Union Song)
Hail, Columbia | Arranged by John F. Stratton

B.F. PORTER
Peace, Troubled Soul

THOMAS COATES
Phantom
Baritone horn solo: Barry J. Bocaner

IGNAZ PLEYEL (1757-1831)
Pleyel’s Hymn

THOMAS COATES
Quickstep (Manchester Cornet Band Books, Set 2, No.31)