Stonewall Brigade Band 2011 Summer Series in Gyspy Hill Park

For over 100 years, the Stonewall Brigade Band has been playing at Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park Gazebo, providing free entertainment throughout the summer for locals and guests.

Begun in 1855 as the Mountain Saxhorn Band and popular throughout the region, the band joined up with General Stonewall Jackson in 1861 as part of his Shenandoah Army. The history of this group is fascinating.

The weekly concerts in the park tradition continues beginning this Monday, June 6, at 8:00 p.m. Concerts are held regardless of the weather except for severe electrical storms. A sweater may be advisable for cool evenings, and sometimes a can of bug spray helps. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, kick back under the towering oak trees, and enjoy Broadway show medleys, music from Virginia composers and arrangers, and more. It's an historic experience ... music under the stars.

Stonewall Brigade Band Concert

Monday June 6, 2011

D-Day Anniversary

8:00 P.M.

Season Opener

8:15 pm Dedication of the Concession Stand at the Bandstand

and donation of the building to the City of Staunton

 A project of the Rotary Club of Staunton-Augusta County, with donations from countless citizens and organizations in the area.

MARCH:The Billboard	Klohr	conducted by Bob Moody
OVERTURE: Chant and Jubilo	McBeth	conducted by Bob Moody
MARCH: The Motorist March	Louis Rich arr. Feldbush	conducted by Bob Moody
SACRED: Assurance	John Ness Beck	conducted by Ray Hoaster
ON BROADWAY: Jersey Boys	Billy Joel	conducted by Bob Moody
LATIN: A Bit of Beguine	Richard Fote	conducted by James Taylor
D-DAY TRIBUTE: Taps for the Fallen Brave	arr. Greg Moody	conducted by Bob Moody
FEATURE: Where No Man Has Gone Before	arr. Bocook	conducted by Bob Moody
VIRGINIA COMPOSER: Band of the Shenandoah	Randy Cabell	conducted by Bob Moody
POPULAR: Feelings	Albert	conducted by Bob Moody
POPULAR: Meet The Flintstones	Barbera	conducted by Bob Moody
MARCH:The Thunderer	Sousa	conducted by Bob Moody

Directions from I-81 exit 225. At the bottom of the ramp go west on VA 262. (Left if on I-81 N. Right if on I-81S) Follow 262 past 3 cross streets and take the Churchville Avenue exit. Get into the left lane at the botton of the exit onto Churchville Avenue (US 250) and turn left. Follow 250 East/Churchville Avenue into Staunton. After you pass the first traffic light, watch for the Tastee Freez on your right and turn right on the street at the end of their parking lot. Take the first left. This takes you into the park where you will have to turn right onto the park drive. Follow the park drive to the bandstand area. (At the "Y" in the road stay to the left.) Parking is allowed on both sides of the road for concerts. Lawn chairs are suggested.

Directions from I-81 exit 220. When you take exit 220 you are on VA 262. Take the 4th exit for Parkersburg Pike. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. As you cross the city limits, this becomes West Beverley Street. Turn left onto Thornrose Avenue at the 3rd traffic light. As you pass Grace Christian School this street curves to the right. Just past the curve turn left into Gypsy Hill Park or park on the street and walk in. In the event that construction on West Beverley has this way blocked, turn left at the first light on Grubert Avenue, go up the hill and take the first right on 3rd street. Follow this to Circle Drive and turn left. This brings you out on Thornrose Avenue. Turn left on Thornrose and proceed to the park as above.

Staunton proclamation thanks Stonewall Brigade Band

Staunton City Councilwoman Andrea Oakes read a proclamation thanking the Stonewall Brigade Band for their 155 years in existence and for their 121 years of free summer performances in Gypsy Hill Park.

Dusk begins to settle over concert-goers during the 8-9:30 performance held every Monday night at Gyspy Hill Park's Gazebo.

Councilwoman Oakes enjoyed the concert from her seat on the lawn.

Even as dark fell, the band played on....

Proclamation
from
Staunton City Council

Whereas, The Stonewall Brigade Band began as the Mountain Saxhorn Band in Staunton, VA in early 1855; and

Whereas, during the outbreak of the War Between the States, the band marched off to war with local militias; and

Whereas, from early 1862, band members served as couriers, guards, stretcher bearers, and surgeon’s assistant; and

Whereas, at the first battle of Manassas, band member William E. Woodward died on the field, and was the was the band’s first casualty and the only death among its members during the way; and

Whereas, the band also performed concerts throughout the state to help recruiting rallies, clothing drives, and war relief fund raising; and

Whereas, when General Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall”, his brigade became known as the Stonewall Brigade and the band adopted the name “Stonewall Brigade Band”; and

Whereas, band is now in its 155th year of continuous service, and is beginning its 121st season of free concerts in Gypsy Hill Park under the direction of Mr. Bob Moody, in his 34th year as lead conductor of the band, and now assisted by Frank Sampson;

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that Staunton City Council hereby expresses its appreciation for the many hours of entertainment this fine group of men and women has provided to residents of Staunton and the surrounding communities, and for being such a vital piece of Staunton’s history.

Signed this 1st day of June, 2009.

Lacy B. King, Jr., Mayor

Be sure to attend tonight's free concert under the trees in Gypsy Hill Park from 8-9:30 pm. For the lineup of music, check out the Stonewall Brigade Band's website.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
June 1, 2009

Summer under the stars ... Gypsy Hill Park concert series

Stonewall Brigade Band
began its 121st summer season of free concerts under the stars
in Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park on Monday night.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
June 1, 2009

Staunton ... America's Birthday Celebration for the 4th

Monday ... Stonewall Brigade Band kicks off 4th of July week with patriotic music

Join us in Staunton, Virginia, this week for an old-fashioned smalltown 4th of July celebration at Gypsy Hill Park. Activities will be going on all week, providing fun and entertainment for the entire family. Bring a lawn chair and sit under the trees at the gazebo as you listen to music and enjoy food provided by area churches and civic organizations.

Monday night: The Stonewall Brigade Band will kick off the festivities with their free concert that is held weekly at the Stonewall Brigade bandstand throughout the summer. They will be joined by the 29th Band of the Virginia Army National Guard as they play patriotic music including the "Armed Forces Salute" that recognzies veterans and active service members in the audience.

Bring a lawn chair and plan to be entertained in Gypsy Hill Park at 8:00 pm.

Program for Monday, June 30, 2008:

* March: Salute to the Colors. King; conducted by Bob Moody.
* Overture: For Those Who Have Gone Before. Fagan; conducted by Bob Moody.
* Sacred: Crown Him With Many Crowns. Arranged by Swearingen; conducted by Bob Moody.
* Showtune: Smokey Joe's Cafe. Lieber and Stoller; arranged by Vinson; conducted by Fred Lewis.
* Americana: American Folk Rhapsody. Arranged by Grundman; conducted by Bob Moody.
* Virginia Composer: Jefferson Davis Funeral March. Rhinehart; arranged by G. Moody, conducted by Bob Moody.
* Movie Theme: Magnificent Seven. Elmer Bernstein; arranged by Roy Phillippe, conducted by Fred Lewis.
* Patriotic: Homefront -- Musical Memories of World War II." Arranged by Christensen; conducted by Fred Lewis.
* March: The Major of St. Lo (Thomas Howie). Allen; conducted by Bob Moody.
* Patriotic: Armed Forces Salute. Arranged by Lowden; conducted by Fred Lewis.
* March: Stars and Stripes Forever. Sousa; conducted by Bob Moody.