Mattapoisett has had a town band since the mid-1800s. It’s likely it was formed the same year the town was incorporated: 1857. Archeological forensics notwithstanding, what we do have is very compelling.
Thanks to the Mattapoisett Museum, we have photographic evidence, historical instruments, and early handwritten musical scores. Photographs show the Mattapoisett Cornet Band. The band is shown at a town event with Civil War veterans but no veterans from World War I. This leads us to believe the photo was taken between those two major wars (1865-1914). These bits of historical data help to establish a time frame for the band.
Digging a bit deeper in our quest to establish a date for the band, we found the museum has an instrument called an “ophicleide.” This fascinating wind instrument looked like a saxophone which plays in E- flat. This brass horn was invented in 1817 and was produced until 1920. The ophicleide was replaced by the helicon in the mid-19th century.
Playing a significant role in the transition of instruments used in marching bands and brass bands was the helicon. Its design was critical in the development of the sousaphone in 1893, while the ophicleide would become the saxophone in 1841. Inside the case holding the ophicleide is a book of music, hand copied in 1867.
J. White band music and instrument depot of Boston produced the book of music. White passed away in 1885, and the depot closed around 1909. There is a J. White band music catalog in the Library of Congress archives.
The Mattapoisett Cornet Band’s drum lettering changed with the word “Cornet” disappearing around 1900. It was replaced by just “Mattapoisett Band” by 1905.
Unfortunately, we do not have a precise date for the Mattapoisett Band. We can, however, confirm with certainty that 1900 is the year the Mattapoisett Cornet Band disappeared. Therefore, we have chosen 1900 as our starting point.
Please join us for our 125th celebration on Wednesday, July 30, at 7:00 pm at Shipyard Park. The band will receive a citation from Massachusetts State Representative Mark Sylvia in recognition of our long history, and we will perform a special musical program.
By Band Director Jayson E. Newell