Music At St. Mary’s Concert Series presents music of the Civil War
Lead Summary
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By John Glaze
On Nov. 4, Music At St. Mary’s Concert Series will host Steve Ball of Columbus, who will present his program, Music of the Civil War.
Ball specializes in the music of the American Civil War and has studied the war since his teens, devoting the past 20 years to studying the music of this era in American history. He has presented programs for the Ohio Statehouse, the National Civil War Museum, the American Civil War Museum of Ohio and countless historical societies, genealogical societies, libraries, museums, Civil War Round Tables and other historical venues such as re-enactments or living history programs.
He has released two CDs of the music of the Civil War and is currently working on a CD of Stephen Foster tunes. Ball has been an instructor for Life Long Learning through Central Ohio Technical College. He also provides the music for the annual Springfield Civil War Symposium, and is the narrator for the 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Civil War Brass Band. He is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust.
Ball’s presentation features tunes starting in the mid-1850s that would become important regarding the climate of the country before the war began in 1861. As the presentation unfolds, there will be patriotic songs cherished by both sides as well as tunes that reflected the loss and melancholy the war would produce. The history and influence of each tune is shared, as well as the progress of the war itself. His presentation gives an excellent background to both the music of the Civil War, and the war itself. Steve has a family member who served in the war and his presentation usually includes that story.
As a collector of vintage instruments, mainly guitars, Ball has built a collection of Civil War-era Martin guitars, the earliest being an 1850 Martin size 3 model 17, followed by an 1851 Martin size 1 model 21, then, an 1852 size 2 model 30, an 1852 size 3, an 1855 size 1 model 26, and then an 1860 Louis Schmidt size 3 model 18. Steve uses many of these guitars in his performances. All guitars are in their original cases, and all are used in performances to minimize the amount of wear to any single instrument.
Music At St. Mary's concerts are held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hillsboro and begin at 3 p.m. There is no charge for the concerts, but donations are gratefully accepted. There is a reception following the concert and Ball will have CDs for purchase at that time.
On Nov. 4, Music At St. Mary’s Concert Series will host Steve Ball of Columbus, who will present his program, Music of the Civil War.
Ball specializes in the music of the American Civil War and has studied the war since his teens, devoting the past 20 years to studying the music of this era in American history. He has presented programs for the Ohio Statehouse, the National Civil War Museum, the American Civil War Museum of Ohio and countless historical societies, genealogical societies, libraries, museums, Civil War Round Tables and other historical venues such as re-enactments or living history programs.
He has released two CDs of the music of the Civil War and is currently working on a CD of Stephen Foster tunes. Ball has been an instructor for Life Long Learning through Central Ohio Technical College. He also provides the music for the annual Springfield Civil War Symposium, and is the narrator for the 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Civil War Brass Band. He is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust.
Ball’s presentation features tunes starting in the mid-1850s that would become important regarding the climate of the country before the war began in 1861. As the presentation unfolds, there will be patriotic songs cherished by both sides as well as tunes that reflected the loss and melancholy the war would produce. The history and influence of each tune is shared, as well as the progress of the war itself. His presentation gives an excellent background to both the music of the Civil War, and the war itself. Steve has a family member who served in the war and his presentation usually includes that story.
As a collector of vintage instruments, mainly guitars, Ball has built a collection of Civil War-era Martin guitars, the earliest being an 1850 Martin size 3 model 17, followed by an 1851 Martin size 1 model 21, then, an 1852 size 2 model 30, an 1852 size 3, an 1855 size 1 model 26, and then an 1860 Louis Schmidt size 3 model 18. Steve uses many of these guitars in his performances. All guitars are in their original cases, and all are used in performances to minimize the amount of wear to any single instrument.
Music At St. Mary's concerts are held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hillsboro and begin at 3 p.m. There is no charge for the concerts, but donations are gratefully accepted. There is a reception following the concert and Ball will have CDs for purchase at that time.