Smithsonian Folkways FW-32378-CCD Music for the Colonial Band- Played by the Colonial Band of Boston (Discontinued)

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution the national museum of the United States. They are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation preservation and dissemination of sound. Folkways Records believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials Folkways Records seek to strengthen people s engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others. Our mission is the legacy of Moses Asch who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document "people s music " spoken word instruction and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987 and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity education increased understanding and lively engagement with the world of sound.

An almost forgotten American tradition that emerged in the latter half of the 18th century the Colonial Band is here revived by bandmaster David McKay and the ensemble. Recorded 1976 the album is divided into sections (New England Band Music Patriotic Vocal and Larger Forms) which McKay thinks most accurately represents what would have been a Colonial Band s repertoire. The liner notes include detailed information of the history of Colonial Bands in general (including a written account by a young boy detailing his excitement at seeing a Colonial Band). While one might expect a brass band style the Colonial Band instead performs classical music.