Our Instruments
The Excelsior Cornet Band performs on original Civil War era band instruments, dating from as early as the 1820’s up to the 1870’s. We have rescued many of these antique brasswind instruments from near-certain destruction, and they have been professionally restored to playing condition, or are awaiting restoration as resources permit. Many of these instruments were acquired in the Central and Upstate New York region, and a number of them were undoubtedly used by area bands during the Civil War. Our primary performance instruments are “saxhorns”, named after their inventor, Adolphe Sax. Four different types of saxhorn are represented in our collection: bell-front, bell upright, circular, and over-the-shoulder (OTS). In addition, we use several keyed brasses in performance and are planning to add our ophicleide to create a wind quartet typical of the 1830s.
If you have an instrument that you think may be of interest to us, please Contact Us.
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