NVCB plays only music that would have been known to late 19th-century audiences. We have chosen the years between the end of the Civil War and the advent of the Sousa Band (1892) since this was a virtually unknown period of band music. Our study of band programs from the period reveal that the most important role of a band during this time was to play dance music. Our concerts feature the most popular examples of polkas, waltzes, quicksteps, schottisches, and mazurkas. The march was also considered a dance as well as a military work. The late 19th-century was also the dawn of mass-produced popular music. NVCB plays arrangements of of some of the more popular songs, which were usually set in the style of a dance! Bands also served the role of transmitter of the latest classical compositions, such as opera overtures and arias, tone poems, and even symphonic movements.

Most of our arrangements come from institutional and private collections, but a few are 19th-century piano scores arranged in the style of the period if no band arrangement is known. The music we play comes from the earliest years of mass production music for large ensembles, which often includes printing or editorial errors. We spend a great deal of time working out the problems, a process made even more difficult by the fact that these arrangements were not published with full scores. In end, however, we choose to play directly from copies of the original parts for the most authentic experience on the part of the players.

We are always interested in new works. If you have a collection or set of parts of band music, we will be happy to speak with you about it!

We have created our own editions of a few of our favorite works so that other bands may also explore this music. We have created full scores from the parts and corrected any errors (and boy were there plenty!) so that these editions can be played with confidence of accuracy. At the buyer's request, these editions can be transformed into full, modern concert band settings or settings for British style brass band.

Editions available are:

George Bizet/J. B. Claus - Grand Selection from Carmen [sample page]

Richard Wagner - Funeral March "Siegfried" [sample page]

L. Wely - Serenade "Monastery Bells" [sample page]

Vincenzo Bellini - Overture to Norma [sample page]