Weekend in Windham

Last night, I returned home after spending the weekend at the Civil War Heritage Music Gathering & Encampment in Windham, New York. Historic Centre Church (pictured here) served as the focal point for the activities, including presentations by fine artists, a maker of quilts, and, of course, the musicians.

I was quite impressed with the range of groups that assembled, from the thirteen-member Providence Brigade Band, nattily attired in red and blue and playing period arrangements of Abraham Lincoln's favorite tunes and other music, to The Chanteymen, a dynamic duo dressed in period naval uniforms who belted bawdy tunes originally sung by working sailors. I was especially impressed with the unique and unexpected sound of the latter group, particularly their rendition of Cape Cod Girls, a crowd favorite.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was Saturday night's Grand Concert. The Centre Church was packed, and in the audience sat Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. The finale, which featured all of the bands on stage, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance.

I played a small part in the Grand Concert: I slowly flipped through a Powerpoint presentation of soldier photographs while Helen Beedle played the piano in her inimitable style.

On Saturday morning and again on Sunday, I conducted a half-hour presentation, "Thirty Soldiers in Thirty Minutes." It featured photographs and stories of Union and Confederate men with connections to New York.

I very much enjoyed the event, and thank John Quinn for inviting me to participate. This is an event I recommend for anyone who has an interest in Civil War music!