When you attend a Napoleonic Association battle display, one thing that will be obvious to you, apart from the smoke and gunfire, is that music is very much a part of re- enacting the period. Troops may march to the beat of a drum; bugles and whistles are used to convey orders to the troops; and bagpipes affect the emotions as the brave redcoated Highlanders sweep the French from the field!

Music certainly adds to the impression of the period. In Issue 21 of First Empire there was a picture of the impressive Drum Corps of the 21eme de Ligne. To watch this unit march steadily towards the British line, accompanied by stirring French music of the period gives, I think, a better impression of a Napoleonic action than infantry and muskets alone. This musical accompaniment raises morale and spurs the troops on toward the enemy.

Music certainly lifts the spirits on a long march. Having participated in many events on the Continent, alongside numerous French and Belgian Marching Societies, I can speak from personal experience when I state that music keeps the troops going. Long marches seem that much more bearable when there is music to lift the spirits, and when the troops automatically fall into step with the beat of the particular tune being played. On the Continent there are many town bands and Marching Societies who dress in Napoleonic costume and attend events such as the big one coming up in June at Waterloo.

In the UK, there is a very good musical section in the shape of the Royal Artillery Band within the Napoleonic Association. They are part of the Military Music Re-enactors Society (they also portray the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band 1861-65 at American Civil War displays). They use correct instruments for the period, comprising Hugel Horns, Clarinet, Trombones, Natural French Horn, Bassoon, Serpent, Drums and Schellenbaum. The band comprises many youngsters who are taught music and how to play the various instruments, and are part of the Traditional Youth Marching Band Association.

I have been informed by Trevor and Dawn Underhill, who run the band, that there is a concert that music afficionados may like to attend. It is being staged by the Municipal Band of Geneva on Friday 26 May 1995, at 7.30pm., at The Spa Centre, Hamilton Terrace, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Tickets are available from The Spa Centre (Tel. 0 1926 334418) price £ 6.00.

The Municipal Band of Geneva is the principal band of that city, and was formed 130 years ago. Some people may remember seeing them at Waterloo in 1990. They will be playing a selection of traditional music. On Saturday 27 May there will be a parade through the streets of Warwick to the castle; which will consist of the Municipal band of Geneva and local Traditional Marching Youth bands, including the Warwick Corps of Drums. Full details of the parade are not yet available but if you wish to know more then you may contact Dawn Underhill on 0121 554 8170. Leave your details and further information will be sent when it is at hand.

When I took up re-enactment as a hobby in the late 1970s, there were very few people who had an interest in portraying the musicians of the period. It tended to be the policy that, if a family joined a unit, the younger members would be dumped in the Drummers section, with very little thought being given to developing them into a proper musical unit. As long as they could beat the drum loudly, then that was all that mattered!

It is pleasing to see many re-enactors now taking such an interest in the musical side of the period, and portraying such effective and impressive units as the Royal Artillery Band, the Drum Corps of the 21eme de Ligne, or the Pipes and Drums of the 42nd Foot.

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Napoleonic Association Events 1995
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Theater of Luxembourg 1995
First Empire Show 1995