Virtual Museum
Questions/Comments: Email Dr. Chris Troiano
Eb Valved Bugle by John F. Stratton, New York (1860's)
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This Eb cornet was made by John F. Stratton (New York) in the 1860's and came with the original mouthpiece, original case, and an original band book with handwritten music dated to have been copied between 1869-1870. It features top action rotary valves (TARV) and an adjustable leadpipe for tuning. The bore and taper throughout the horn makes this instrument similar to a flugel horn and can be more accurately described as a valved bugle.
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This instrument was funded by donations made to the Green Machine Ensembles.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Eb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Cornet by John F. Stratton, New York (reassembled mid-1800's)
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This Bb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) cornet was assembled by contemporary brass repair technician Tim Holmes using two different instruments made by John F. Stratton (New York) in the mid-1800's. OTS brass instruments were invented and patented by Alan Dodworth in 1838 and quickly became the dominate brass instrument design for American military bands. The bands would oftentimes march in front of soldiers while marching, so the backwards bell made the music audible for the soldiers behind them. The instrument has a place for a lyre and features a prominent 'S' brace. The instrument came with a reproduction coffin case.
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This instrument was funded by Brian Drummond and the Rea Charitable Trust.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Cornet by Tim Holmes (2000's)
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This Bb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) cornet was built by contemporary brass repair technician Tim Holmes in the early 2000's. It features pinched-rotary valves and a removable bell to convert into a circular cornet, though we do not currently own a circular bell for this instrument. OTS brass instruments were invented and patented by Alan Dodworth in 1838 and quickly became the dominate brass instrument design for American military bands. The bands would oftentimes march in front of soldiers while marching, so the backwards bell made the music audible for the soldiers behind them.
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This instrument was funded by the Rea Charitable Trust.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Cornopean, unmarked Paris (c. 1850's)
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With the invention of the Stölzel valve in 1814 by Heinrich Stölzel, brass instruments could now become more easily fully chromatic. Prior to the Stölzel valve, brass instruments could play chromatically by either the use of keys (keyed bugle & ophicleide) or a slide (trombone). The first instruments in the "trumpet family" to adopt the Stölzel valve were called cornopeans and were early designs for what would become cornets. This Bb cornopean is stamped "A. Paris" and features the Stölzel valve mechanism. Notice how there is tubing extending from the bottom of each valve casing, an unusual sight for those of us more familiar with modern cornets and trumpets. This instrument came with its original mouthpiece (not pictured), original lyre, and original Bb/A tuning crooks.
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This instrument was funded by donations made to the Green Machine Ensembles.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Side Action Rotary Valve (SARV) Cornet by Lehnert, (c. 1870s)
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This instrument was made by Henry Lehnert and is stamped Philadelphia, which places the instrument manufactoring date as c. 1870s. It features a side action rotary valve (SARV) design which was popular in the 19th-century and is still popular in Europe today. The instrument is bell-front facing and would be held on its side as opposed to vertically. The band also owns a Lehnert Eb SARV alto horn.
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This instrument was funded by Samuel Laudenslager Jr.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Eb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Alto Horn by John F. Stratton, New York (1860's)
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This Eb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) alto horn was made by John F. Stratton (New York) in the 1860's. John F. Stratton's 200 employees built 100 instruments per day during the American Civil War (1861-1865). This Eb OTS alto horn features the branded John F. Stratton shield on the bell and was likely built sometime during the 1860's. OTS brass instruments were invented and patented by Alan Dodworth in 1838 and quickly became the dominate brass instrument design for American military bands. The bands would oftentimes march in front of soldiers while marching, so the backwards bell made the music audible for the soldiers behind them.
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This instrument was funded by the Rea Charitable Trust.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Eb Alto Horn upright unmarked, (1860's)
Eb Alto horn Anon., c. 1860’s. Upright saxhorn, all silver construction with 3 (TARV) top action rotary string valves. Instrument is in excellent restored playing condition.
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This instrument was funded by donations made to the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Tenor Horn by Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory, Boston (c. 1869/1870's)
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The Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory (BMI) was formed in 1869 by E.G. Wright and Samuel Graves, two of the most highly-respected brass instrument manufacturers of their time. Many of the BMI instruments, especially in the early years of the company, used the instrument builds previously designed by E.G. Wright. This Bb tenor has a small bore and cylindrical taper which gives it a characteristic sound similar to that of a trombone. It features side action rotary valves (SARV) and was likely built in the early years of the BMI business.
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This instrument was funded by the American Battlefield Trust.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Baritone sold by R. Wurtilzer, Cincinnati (c. 1857-1871)
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The Wurlitzer family began making musical instruments in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1853. This Bb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Baritone is stamped "R. Wurlitzer" which dates the instrument between 1857-1871. During this period, most of the brass instruments sold by the Wurlitzer's were European imports. The instrument features silver bell garland and top action rotary valves (TARV). The instrument was restored in 1994 by Tim Holmes. OTS brass instruments were invented and patented by Alan Dodworth in 1838 and quickly became the dominate brass instrument design for American military bands. The bands would oftentimes march in front of soldiers while marching, so the backwards bell made the music audible for the soldiers behind them.
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This instrument was funded by the Rea Charitable Trust.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Bass by E.G. Wright, Boston (c. 1864)
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This upright Bb bass was made by E.G. Wright around 1864 and is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano. The instrument features an upright bell, side action rotary valves (SARV), and came with its original case. The mouthpiece used on this instrument was made by the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory, E.G. Wright's company that was formed in the late 1860's. Though referred to as a Bb bass, this instrument most similarly resembles a euphonium today. Tenor horns, baritone horns, and Bb basses all played in the same octave, but their tubing taper and bore diameters differed, thus giving them different sounds. The Bb bass would typically double the Eb bass part up 1 octave.
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This instrument is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano and is used in the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
Bb Ophicleide by Guichard, Paris (c. 1827-1845)
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This Bb Ophicleide was made by A.G. Guichard in Paris between 1827-1845 and is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano. Guichard later went into business with his brother-in-law, P.L. Gautrot. Gautrot was a prominent musical instrument innovator in Paris and was in business as proprietor from 1845-1885. Gautrot was a frequent litigator against Adolphe Sax, though never successful in court.
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The ophicleide is a keyed brass instrument that was invented in 1817 and patented in 1821 by French instrument maker Jean Hilaire Asté. It was a descendent of the serpent and a predecessor to the modern tuba and baritone/euphonium.
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This instrument is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano and is used in the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
Eb Bass Saxhorn by Slater & Martin, New York (1868-1872)
“Slater and Martin, New York” is engraved on a shield applied to the bell area. Upright design, brass construction with silver trim, ferrules, bell garland and 3 top action rotary valves (TARV). Instrument pictured on pg. 22 in Elrod / Garofalo book, “A Pictorial History of Civil War Era Musical Instruments and Military Bands”. Very good restored condition and great player. Restored by Tim Holmes.
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This instrument was funded by our generous donors to the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Eb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Bass, unmarked European import (1850's)
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This is our Eb Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) bass. The lowest voice in most brass bands of the 19th-century, this instrument is pitched in between a modern euphonium and a modern BBb or CC tuba. Lower BBb and EEEb tubas were made in the 19th-century, but they are very uncommon. This Eb bass is unmarked, but is likely a European import from the 1850's. OTS brass instruments were invented and patented by Alan Dodworth in 1838 and quickly became the dominate brass instrument design for American military bands. The bands would oftentimes march in front of soldiers while marching, so the backwards bell made the music audible for the soldiers behind them.
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This instrument was funded by the Rea Charitable Trust, the Bull Run Civil War Round Table, and Samuel Laudenslager Jr.
This instrument is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Cooperman Rope-Tension Field Drums (c. 2016)
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In 2016, the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps and Green Machine Ensembles were the recipients of 4 rope-tension field drums and 2 rope-tension bass drums. These instruments were made by Cooperman Fife and Drums in Vermont c. 2016 and hand-painted by Brooke Stevens of Loyal Drums c. 2019. The drums measure 17x17 and are common representations of field music drums from the 18th and 19th centuries. By sliding the leather drum ears down, the tension on the drum heads is increased giving it its characteristic sound. The artwork on the drums by Brooke Stevens depicts the University Seal for George Mason University.
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These instruments were funded by Bob Devine for use by the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps.
These instruments are owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Antique Cymbals
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Cymbals were a common addition to band during the 19th-century. They could be played either by a separate musician or they could be fastened to the ropes of the bass drum and played simultaneously by the bass drummer.
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These cymbals were funded by donations made to the Green Machine Ensembles.
These cymbals are owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Clairon Bugle (1930)
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Bugles have been used by field musicians throughout history as a way of signaling commands to troops. This Bb clairon bugle was manufactured by Couesnon [Kwee-non] in Paris in 1930. Though not from the 1800s, the design of this particular type of bugle remained largely unchanged since the early 1800s. The rope is used to both conveniently carry the instrument on ones shoulder as well as identifying the unit the field musician belongs to: blue for infantry, red for artillery, yellow for calvary.
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This clairon is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano and is used by the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
Drum Major Staff (c. 1800's)
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During the 19th-century, drum majors were often the leaders of the field music unit. They would lead the fife and drum corps as well as the bands during parades and reviews. This 19th-century drum major staff was restored by Mike Warnick and features a red mace cord.
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This mace is owned by Dr. Chris Troiano and is used by the 8th Green Machine Regiment Band.
Eb Side Action Rotary Valve (SARV) Cornet by E.G. Wright, Boston (c. 1863-1864)
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E.G. Wright was a Bb keyed bugle player in the Boston Brass Band, one of the first brass bands to form in the United States in the early 1830's. Wright began making keyed brass instruments in 1838. In 1868, Wright merged with Samuel Graves to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory. These early BMI instruments frequently used the patterns made by Wright under his own name. E.G. Wright died in 1871. This instrument is an Eb cornet with side action rotary valves. The instrument is solid nickel silver and we are in possession of both the original case and a reproduction case.​
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This cornet was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This cornet is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Side Action Rotary Valve (SARV) Cornet by E.G. Wright & Co., Boston (c. 1866)
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E.G. Wright was a Bb keyed bugle player in the Boston Brass Band, one of the first brass bands to form in the United States in the early 1830's. Wright began making keyed brass instruments in 1838. In 1868, Wright merged with Samuel Graves to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory. These early BMI instruments frequently used the patterns made by Wright under his own name. E.G. Wright died in 1871. This instrument is an Bb cornet with side action rotary valves. The instrument is solid nickel silver and we are in possession of both the original case and a reproduction case.​
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This cornet was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This cornet is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Eb Side Action Rotary Valve (SARV) Alto by H. Lehnert, Philadelphia (c. 1880s-1916)
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Henry Lehnert worked for E.G. Wright or Samuel Graves when he first came to Boston in 1860. He started making his own instruments during the 1860s while in Boston, but moved to Philadelphia by 1866. Due to the ornate engraving and the way the instrument is stamped, it is likely from between 1880-1916. The instrument is solid nickel silver. The band also owns a Lehnert Bb SARV cornet.​
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This alto horn was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This alto horn is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Slide Trombone by Courtois, Paris (c. 1878)
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This trombone was manufactured by Antoine Courtois around 1878 and was sold by their sole US distributor, John Howard Foote of New York.
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This trombone was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This trombone is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Piston Cornet by Besson, Paris (c. 1876-1878)
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Gustave Besson was born in 1820. In 1838, he started his own instrument manufacturing company in Paris. In 1857, Besson became established in London. Besson died in 1874, but the company continued in the family after his death. This Bb cornet was likely made between 1876-1878 and features an original case, original tuning bits, original lyre, and an intricate bell engraving.​
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This cornet was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This cornet is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Baritone by Henry Distin, Williamsport PA (c. 1894)
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Henry Distin was born in 1819 in London. In 1833, Henry formed a brass quintet with his sons and toured the world. After meeting Adolph Sax, the quintet changed to saxhorns and helped popularize the instruments. In 1849, the Distin's began manufacturing instruments under their own name. He sold his business to Boosey in 1868, but moved to the United States in 1877 and began building instruments in New York. Henry moved his company to Williamsport, PA in 1889. The serial number on this instrument dates the instrument to 1894.
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This baritone was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This baritone is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Reproduction Field Drum by Ed Classey, Connecticut (1993)
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Ed Classey was a drum maker, drummer of the "Ancient" style, and a fifer. Ed was the first Chairman of the Company of Fifers and Drummers. This drum was built by Ed in 1993.​
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This field drum was acquired by us thanks to the generosity of Steve Sprague.
This field drum is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.
Bb Keyed Bugle
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The keyed bugle was invented in 1810 and was one of the earliest successful innovations that allowed for brass instruments to play chromatically. The keyed bugle was brought to the US from the British Isles in 1815 by Richard Willis, future bandleader of the West Point Band. The keyed bugle would go on to be an important instrument in the development of brass bands in the United States and continue to be used into the early 1860s. Early virtuosi include Richard Willis, Ned Kendall, and Francis Johnson.​
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This keyed bugle has 6 keys and is in the key of Bb. Keyed bugles came in C (with a Bb crook) and Eb and could have anywhere from 5 to 12 keys. Based on the research of Ralph T. Dudgeon, we estimate that this unmarked keyed bugle was made in France sometime in the 1830s or 1840s.
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This Bb keyed bugle was acquired thanks to the generosity of Brian Drummond.
This Bb keyed bugle is owned by the Green Machine Ensembles at George Mason University.