the singers and players of the civil war era

The Singers and Players of the Civil War

EraBy: Juan Thomas Kimble

Jenny Lind (1820-1887)

• Known as the Swedish Nightingale • She was an opera singer, vocalist• P.T. Barnum was her manager• Performed 130 concerts between

1850-51 in 93 cities from N.Y. to New Orleans

Jenny Lind

• She was accompanied by a small orchestra.

• She performed opera arias, Swedish folk songs, and sentimental favorites like “Home, Sweet Home”.

Louis Morceau Gottschalk

(1829-1869)• 1st American solo performed to

receive high acclaim similar to that of Europeans.

• His compositions contained tunes and rhythms from vernacular cultures and reflects his background from N.O.

Louis Morceau Gottschalk

(1829-1869)• His most popular pieces were

“Bamboula” and “The Banjo”.• “Bamboula” was the name of an Afro-

Caribbean drum and this tune contains syncopated rhythmic patterns.

• “The Banjo” is similar to the styles used in popular minstrel shows.

Francis “Frank” Johnson

(1792-1844)• Friend of James Hemmingway who was a

member of an all black marching band following the War of 1812.

• His band became the 1st American band to earn an international reputation.

• Keyed Bugle is “the” instrument. • Loves to change rhythm, melody, or

harmony to create an unexpected sound.

Francis “Frank” Johnson

(1792-1844)• In 1821, he formed the Colored

Black Band which consisted of a fife, base and side drums players with his bugle.

• The Colored Black band traveled to London in 1837 becoming the 1st American ensemble to do so.

Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield

(c.1824-1876)• Slave that was taken to Philadelphia where she was

encouraged to study music. • Her professional singing debut was made in NY on

October 21st, 1851.• Known as the “Black Swan” from a Buffalo reviewer• On 10/23, The Buffalo Daily Express praised her

voice and said that it could sooth race relations.• Performed in the NE and traveled to Europe for 2 yrs.• Returned in 1854 and directed a black troupe opera

during the 1860s.• 1st African-American to earn recognition in both the US

and Europe

Julia Ward Howe(1819-1910)

• Married Samuel G. Howe in 1843, founder of the Perkins Institute

• Both she and her husband became involved with the civilian relief and support organizations after the war began.

Julia Ward Howe(1819-1910)

• Howe’s daughters told the story of Chaplain McCabe of the 122nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and how he sang “Battle Hymn” as part of his speeches about his wartime experiences.

Patrick S. Gilmore(1829-1892)

• Irish-born immigrant who came to the US in 1849.

• He worked in a Boston music store performing as a tambourine and cornet player with the Ordway’s Aeolian Vocalists (minstrel group)

• He later became the leader of the Boston Brass Band in 1855.

Patrick S. Gilmore(1829-1892)

• At the start of the Civil War he enlisted in the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry but was discharged in 1862.

• Directed the 1864 inauguration for the Louisiana governor.

• He conducted the National Peace Jubilee and Music Festival in 1869 and the World Peace Jubilee and the International Music Festival in 1872.

George F. Root(1820-1895)

• He pursued vocal training in Paris in 1850.

• Root believed music was a valuable tool for education and he published lots of song collections for the school and church settings.

• His first Civil War Song was “The First Gun is Fired”

George F. Root(1820-1895)

• The popularity of Root’s songs enabled Root and Cady to become the most successful publishing firm during the Civil War.

• His most popular was “The Battle Cry of Freedom” which sold over 350,000 copies by 1866.