A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Band
BAND. A combination of various instruments for the performance of music. The old English term was 'noise.' The French word 'bande' was applied to the 'vingt-quatre violins' of Louis XIV. (Littré.) Charles II had his 'four-and-twenty violins,' and the word doubtless accompanied the thing. It first appears in a MS. order (Ld. Chamberlain's Warrt. Bks. May 31, 1661) that the King's band of violins shall take instructions from Hudson and Mell. (See also State Papers, Domestic, lxxvii. No. 40, and lxxix. Aug. 19, 63.) It is not mentioned by Johnson (nor indeed in Latham's Johnson), Richardson, or Webster. The various kinds of bands will be found under their separate heads, viz. Harmonie-Music; Military Band; Orchestra; King's Private Band; Wind Band. Bandmaster and Bandsmen are respectively the leader and members of a Military Band.
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