The Civil War

The Moravian settlements in and around Salem, North Carolina were already well-known for their musical talent when war broke out in April, 1861. Three separate regimental bands were formed from the Salem Brass Band, the 21st, 26th, and 33rd NC Regiment Bands. Owing to surviving journals of its members and the fact that they returned to their civilian musical activities after the war, much is known about their lives during the conflict. Even more remarkable, over 400 titles from their libraries are preserved in the archives of the Moravian Music Foundation in Salem Village. Through the efforts of several scholars, including Dr. Nola Reed Knouse and Stephen Lytle, many of these titles are being made available for the first time in modern editions. Several of the titles you are hearing tonight have not been performed in over one hundred years! These selections, in addition to being delightful to hear and perform, are a
window into the musical activities of America in the golden age of the brass band during the mid-nineteenth century. Furthermore they reintroduce us to long-forgotten names of noted Civil War-era composers and arrangers such as William Hartwell and William Neave.

Stephen Lytle is the Acting Director of Athletic Bands and a professor of music education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Mr. Lytle is a native of Kinston, North Carolina and studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northwestern University, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His research on the Repertoire of the Moravian Civil War bands is the basis for tonight’s program. Prior to his appointment at Miami, Mr. Lytle served as Acting Assistant Director of Bands at UNC and a Doctoral Conducting Associate at the College-Conservatory of Music. He was also the founding director of instrumental music at East Chapel Hill High School.

Mr. Lytle maintains an active schedule as an arranger in several media including brass band. He is a member of the College Band Directors’ National Association and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Mr. Lytle proudly claims alumni status with the Triangle Brass Band, serving as a cornet and flugelhorn player between 1992 and 2007.