By PAM SCHIFF

Originally chartered in 1846 in Providence, the Providence Brigade Band was resurrected in 1996 by Melissa and Eric Willis.

“Town brass bands proliferated in the 1840s and 50s due to the prosperity of the period and availability of brass instruments with valves such as the ‘Saxhorns’ of Adolph Sax. These types of brass instruments initiated a movement that at one point in the last third of the 19th century resulted in an estimated 10,000 brass bands in America,” said Melissa.

The original Providence Brigade Band was made up of tradesmen and professional people who were musicians by avocation. Band members included a music professor, a carpenter, a blacksmith and a jeweler. Their activities were typical of hundreds of similar bands throughout the country. They performed in concerts and parades, dedicated monuments to fallen heroes and — in general — fostered civic pride throughout the region.

“Today the band carries on that tradition performing in the style of early American brass bands. Band members dress in military uniforms of the period and play original music of the time on antique instruments from the Civil War era. Programs with special emphasis on the American Civil War are presented, bringing to life this critical chapter of our country through its music. Facts, anecdotes and the legends of the songs and composers are used to enhance the unique qualities of this musical genre and time period,” Melissa said.

“The band has been based in Cranston for the past six years and currently rehearses once a week on Tuesday evenings at the Church of the Accession on Pontiac Avenue. The band consists of 17 men and women ranging in age from12 years old all the way up to 72 years old. The band typically performs for the public up to 24 times a year in various indoor and outdoor settings in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. Most performances are for historical reenactments, educational programs, parades and memorial dedications,” Melissa said.

“Our music programs, with or without historical commentary, are very informative and are appropriate for schools, libraries, PTAs and civic organizations. We can also bring for display a number of musical artifacts from the mid-19th century consisting of instruments, music and accessories. These include a variety of instruments, a complete set of handwritten part books for brass band dating from 1864 and a partial set from 1858. Some of the other artifacts are two Civil War Musician’s swords, numerous pieces of sheet music from the period and many other artifacts,” Melissa said.

The band is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization; its mission is to educate the public about American culture during the 19th century as reflected in its music.

There will be a free concert on July 12 at 720 Pontiac Ave, at 7:30 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be rescheduled.

The band will be performing two concerts at the Church of the Ascension (390 Pontiac Ave)., on Sept. 10 and Dec. 3 both shows at 7 p.m. Tickets for the church concerts will be $10 each and will include light refreshments.

Tickets are available at the door. Interested concert goers can call the church at 401-461-5811 or email at office@ascensioncranston.org for more information.

Unfortunately, the concert hall is not handicapped accessible. You can also find out more about the band by visiting their website at www.pbband.org

The band will be performing at the following locations in 2022.

Saturday, July 16 at 6 p.m., South County Museum - Narragansett

Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension - Cranston

Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m., Border Farm - Foster

Monday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m., Autumnfest Parade - Woonsocket

Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., Veterans Day Parade - East Greenwich

Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., Holiday Concert Church of the Ascension - Cranston