20 – Interview with Susan Kinne: The History of the Manchester Cornet Band

The Early American Brass Band Podcast

Episode 20 is our conversation with Sue Kinne, historian of the Manchester Cornet Band. Sue has been researching the band for years, and we were thrilled to have her on to dive into the history of this extremely important brass band. We discuss their formation in the 1830’s, service during the American Civil War, their organizations after the war, and much more.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress and the 8th GM Regiment Band. You can get in touch with us on all social media platforms, and by emailing us at [e-mail].

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Episode Structure:

• 2:15 - Sue's musical background

• 13:25 - How Sue got involved with early American brass bands

• 16:05 - Meeting Mark Elrod through her research

• 18:27 - Meeting Jari Villanueva through her research

• 19:24 - How Sue first learned about the Manchester Cornet Band

• 22:13 - Beginnings of the Manchester Cornet Band

• 23:51 - Walter Dignam, and how he factors into the Manchester Cornet Band

• 27:01 - George Goodwin's role in the band

• 29:25 - Dignam's collection of music in the Manchester Historical society

• 34:22 - The band leading up to the Civil War

• 43:30 - Enlisting in the 4th NH Regiment, the band's service during the war

• 49:23 - The band's official muster out, and Walter Dignam forming a band that officers paid for

• 52:00 - The band after the war

• 1:09:41 - The importance of town bands in the 19th century

• 1:18:25 - Wrap up, Featured Album: Homespun America, The Eastman Wind Ensemble