18th c. Music Concert – Christian Febiger and the 2nd VA Regiment's Band of Music, Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:00PM

Item details

Date

Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:00PM

Name

18th c. Music Concert – Christian Febiger and the 2nd VA Regiment's Band of Music

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Description

Join the VMHC and experience the sounds of Revolutionary-era military music during a special concert featuring musicians from Music of the Regiment performing authentic 18th-century military band music on period instruments. Along with a stirring performance, the ensemble will provide historical context on the history, meaning, and role of military music in the Revolutionary era.  

In 1782, Colonel Christian Febiger of the Virginia Line wrote to General George Washington, “The men very uneasy about Pay and other necessarys [sic]... they would not march without monney [sic].” Fortunately, this gentleman officer had a secret weapon, “I was on the spot with... an excellent Band of Music to play them off... all was quieted... they march on chearfully [sic].” 

Febiger’s band was the first of its kind in Virginia. Established in Philadelphia over the winter of 1779, the 2nd Virginia Regiment’s “band of music” was formed of Virginian-born soldiers, trained by a German music master, and functioned as both a wind and string ensemble. The band provided music for social events, recruiting, military ceremonies, and even pacified obstinate soldiers. In Febiger’s own words, his musicians were “Equal to any Band in this Country” and “had more Influence... than would the Oratory of a Cicero.” 

With the story of Col. Febiger’s band at its center, “Equal to any Band in this Country” offers a historically immersive program combining dramatic readings with marches, opera arrangements, and musical divertimenti that served as the soundtrack of the French, American, and British 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.  

Music of the Regiment (MotR) is a shapeshifting ensemble of period-instrument specialists dedicated to performing 18th- and 19th-century wind-band music as it was heard in the time of Washington and Mozart. Performing in configurations that span from a single fife and drum to a full wind band (clarinets, horns, bassoons, serpent), MotR seeks to share the rich history of martial music with audiences across the country. The ensemble has been featured at events hosted by a variety of historical societies and music presenters, including the Museum of the American Revolution and the Bloomington Early Music Festival, and is a 2025 Alexandria History Society Golden Grant recipient. 

Music of the Regiment Ensemble (on period instruments) 

• Elise Bonhivert, clarinet 
• Dominic Giardino, clarinet & direction 
• Megan Hurley, natural horn 
• Rachel Niketopoulos, natural horn 
• Aaron Goler, bassoon 
• Kelsey Schilling, bassoon 

Program Timeline:  

• 5:00 – 6:00 – Guests are welcome to arrive early to explore the VMHC’s exhibits or grab a drink in the museum café prior to the event. 

  • The Commonwealth Café will stay open late for this event.

• 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Concert and program.  

Pricing Info:

• VMHC Members - $18 

• Non-members - $20 

VMHC Members, please login above to reserve your discounted tickets. Your discounted member tickets will be visible once the items are in your cart. If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please click here. 

This program is a part of the VMHC's 250th Initiative. 

Tickets are not available at this time. See above for ticket release schedule.