Green Machine Ensembles

The 8th GM Regiment Band


The 8th Regiment band stands in front of the white gate at Fort Ward for a group photo in their green 19th century style military uniforms with green caps and instruments.

JOIN

Interested in joining or want more information? Look over our frequently asked questions page and/or email Dr. Chris Troiano at [email protected].

For questions about booking please look over our frequently asked questions page and/or email the Green Machine at [email protected].

Register for the class on PatriotWeb under the “Historical Ensembles” section – MUSI 280


WATCH


ABOUT

The 8th Regiment band stands in front of a monument at the Manassas battle field on a partly sunny day with park officials for a group photo. The monument and a wooden fence are behind them. They are wearing green 19th century military uniforms and caps and holding their instruments.
Six members of the 8th regiment band stand at attention in the woods for a group photo with their instruments. They are wearing green 19th century style military uniforms and caps.

The 8th Green Machine (GM) Regiment Band is an early American brass band that performs 19th-century brass band music for a variety of occasions including historical events, parades, university celebrations, and more! The band was created in 2017 by Dr. Chris Troiano and Dr. Michael Nickens.

The band performs on authentic 19th-century instruments and mouthpieces. A number of the instruments used by the band feature an Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) bell direction. This design was utilized so that a band could march in front of soldiers and be heard by the troops.

During the 1800s, bands attached to militia units and military regiments would typically wear the same uniforms as the soldiers. It was up to the discretion of the officers to embellish or improve the band uniforms out of their own pocket. For this reason, the 8th GM Regiment Band wears green military uniforms to align ourselves with the school colors of George Mason University. However, the uniforms are also reminiscent of those worn by the 1st and 2nd United States (Berdan’s) Sharpshooters during the American Civil War. Their green uniforms served as an early form of camouflage during the war.

The music performed by the ensemble is presented in a manner that is both historically and socially respectful for a modern audience, while at the same time celebrating the aural beauty and excitement of America during the 1800s.


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Email the Green Machine at [email protected].