In 1782, Colonel Christian Febiger was tasked with supplying ill-equipped and hungry American soldiers entering their sixth winter at war with Britain. Despite the recent Franco-American victory at Yorktown, “these [still were] the times that try men’s souls.” Mutiny in the American ranks loomed large.

“The men very uneasy about Pay and other necessarys [sic]... they would not march without monney [sic].” Fortunately, Febiger “was on the spot with... an excellent Band of Music to play them off... all was quieted... they march[ed] on chearfully [sic].” The reed is mightier than the sword, they say.

The band of the 2nd Virginia Regiment was the first of its kind in the Old Dominion. Established in 1779, the ensemble provided music for social events, recruiting, and military ceremonies. Equal to any Band in this Country pairs readings with marches, arias, and divertimenti that provided the soundtrack for the international armies that converged at Yorktown in 1781. Featuring works by André Grétry (1741–1813), François-Joseph Gossec (1734–1829), Timothy Olmsted (1759–1848), John Reid (1721–1807), Johann Christian Bach (1735–1782), and others.

Founded in 2023 by Dominic Giardino and Chris Troiano, Music of the Regiment is a versatile ensemble of period-instrument specialists dedicated to performing 18th- and 19th-century martial music as it was heard in the time of Washington and Mozart. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear historical wind instruments!