Popular Music of the American Civil War Era and mid-nineteenth century, 1835 - 1865, can be divided into three distinct genre:  military fife & drum,  brass band,  and folk & minstrel.  

The fife & drum genre dates back to the Swiss Army of the 1530’s, when armies fought in a formal style of war amongst gentlemen.  It arrives into colonial America from Europe and becomes the traditional music of the military.  During the early republic, fife & drum thrives with the growing popularity of pre-war militias, and continues its traditions within the regular army.  During the Civil War, field music regulates the camp duties and fulfills its destiny in parade music, but fife & drum proves impractical as a means to communicate in battle due to the evolution of modern tactics and technologies.  Field signals become increasingly performed by the bugle.

The brass band era comes into its own popular style by the 1850’s, aided by the development of valved brass instruments. Town and city band organizations flourish throughout the nation.  

The folk & minstrel music is a category which encompasses the popular, vernacular, ethnic, and show tune music then existing outside of the formal orchestral compositions of the world’s famous symphonic organizations.