Community Corner

Farmington Resident Performs with Michigan 5th Regiment Band in Brighton

Performances include music, instruments, period attire, flags, and customs of the era.

Step back in time 150 years and discover the 5th Michigan Regiment Band. Music, hymns and reflective readings of the Civil War Era will be presented during a free program from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the .

Those attending will learn about the rich history of the Civil War through an authentic historical recreation performed by the group. In addition, participants will hear music, including the 1861 Star Spangled Banner and see distinct uniforms patterned after the 5th Regiment Band and period-correct civilian clothing.

The evening’s music will be conducted by Lt. Col. Guy Smith. Smith will use original sheet music that he obtained from the National Archives where he later painstakingly transcribed and orchestrated each piece. All of the music played will be performed on Civil War instruments such as the saxhorn and wood rope tension wood drums, all used during the Regimental Band’s period. 

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The band’s vast musical repertoire includes more than 150 marches, polkas, schottisches and waltzes that were played around 1860 for parades, military balls, and musters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line during the Civil War.

Following the war, the 5th Michigan Regiment bandsmen were disbanded for 108 years. In 1973, however, the group was reborn as a bicentennial project. Today’s band of 30 individuals are musicians, color guards, and support persons. They embody the original 5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Band, many of whom were Livingston County residents, mustered into service on Aug. 28, 1861 at Fort Wayne in Detroit, Michigan.

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The band has performed at Civil War festivals, re-enactments, historical events and musters in Gettysburg, PA, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky and has recorded five CD's.

Brian Golden of Farmington plays both the bass and snare drums for the band. Other band members, as well as others assisting with singing and readings for the performance, are Guy and Carol Smith of Brighton, Jeff Ash of Ann Arbor, Jerry and Carol Bauer of Novi, Buzz Brown of Keego Harbor, Bey Hurt of Tecumseh, Ronnie Kadykowski of Brighton, Gene Karamer of Northville, John and Linda Kurtti of Novi, Jennie Ross of Brighton, Ed and Joyce Vitez of Brighton and Jean Wank of Diamondale.

To learn more about the 5th Michigan Regiment Band, visit their website www.mi5th.org or call the Brighton District Library at 810-229-6571 ext. 227. The Brighton District Library is located at 100 Library Drive, Brighton.


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