Hi everyone still interested - thanks for all of the input this far in my journey. I think I am reasonably clear on quite a lot of things now.
The Regiment is sorted - Gordons - and the date I think (unless anything else falls out of the woodwork) is going to be circa 1871. Thhe next thing to consider is the band.
I want these to wear the white doublet which they wore until changing to red in 1873. This will have red facings, collar, cuffs, wings and piping. Cuffs will be of the pointed variety - as Carman notes that these changed from the old style French cuff in 1865.
As the band will be based on troopers photo - I will need around thirty musicians which will march five abreast - so will need six ranks. I think I would like to next explain the instruments and how these lay-out. I want to make the band look interesting, so intend to include some instruments which cannot be seen in the photo - BUT were around at the time, so MAY have been included ( by an enlightened Bandmaster). It is pretty certain by the number of musicians in the picture, the band seemed wealthy enough to have supported them.
Drum Major
First rank; trombone, cymbalist, Bass Drum, Bell-lyre, trombone
Second rank; Clarinet, Flute, Cornet, Flute, Clarinet (Bandmaster)
Third rank: Bassoon, Tenor Hn., Cornet, Tenor Hn., Bassoon
Fourth rank; French Hn., Sax, Euphonium, Sax, French Hn.
Fifth rank; Euphonium, Tuba, Euphonium, Tuba, Euphonium
Sixth rank; Bombardon, Ophicleid, Tuba, Ophicleid, Bombardon
REGIMENTAL GROUP TO FOLLOW
The above contains a few instruments that may be contentious.
The bell lyre has turned up in one of troopers photos whilst the Gordons were abroad in 1890. My proposal to bring it forward 19 years is OK historically - but not based on any evidence that they had one in 1871. Any objections?
There is no bombardon shown in the above photo - and to be fair - you can't really miss it. BUT - I do have a photo of one in the Argyle's band in 1874. So, the instrument was around in Scotland at roughly this time, whilst it was first introduced to a band (in Prussia) in 1831, so had been around for quite a while and was a popular instrument. My proposal to put one in to the Gordons band is simple. I like it!
It COULD have been there though - 'cos the Black Watch also had one in 1862 - (I have a photo in a book).
The Ophicleid, was really the father of the tuba. It was going "out of fashion" in military bands between 1860-1870, and being replaced in many by the easier to play tuba. It doesn't look tremendously different to the tuba - but different enough to look interesting. It is this changeover I would like to note - by using both instruments in the band.
As to the Saxophone - well a lot of people are surprised to learn that it was patented by Adolphe Sax in 1841. He intended it for use in military bands - and it was popular. I have no evidence that it was being used by Scots bands around this time yet. Was it around in 1871 with the Gordons? Anybody out there know???
If anyone has any serious objections to the above PLEASE let me know. I would hate to produce the band - and find out later that it's wrong!
That's about all for this instalment. Any observations greatfully received. To leave with my favourite quote of the day: (I literally found itr today), from Richard Strauss (not the cricketer - the composer).
" Never look at the trombones...........it only encourages them!"
Have a nice one - johnnybach
