The Independent Silver Band of Mount Vernon, Illinois brings the music of the 19th century back to life. The original band played from 1884 to 1889, made up of ten local men from the same church and Sunday school. They performed for balls, picnics, skating parties, political rallies — just about every community event that needed music. As family and work demands grew, the band faded, but in 1914 the town gathered one last time for a farewell concert, parade, and reunion.

Fast forward to 2004. William L. Reynolds, a music educator and longtime circus musician, achieved a lifelong dream by assembling the new Independent Silver Band to enlighten the public to American brass music of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The band also performs as the 48th Illinois Volunteers, modeled after an actual Union Army regiment from Southern Illinois. The Independent Silver Band appeared at Vintage Band Festival in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022. The Independent Silver Band will perform in Bridge Square on Friday, in Central Park on Saturday and during the Battle of the Bands, also on Saturday. On Sunday they will perform during services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Northfield. For the time of these performances and all other concerts and events at VBF 2026, visit vintagebandfestival.org.

Tom Baker’s Mardi Gras Brass

Tom Baker’s Mardi Gras Brass is actually a subset of the Independent Silver Band. That allows the members to play a different genre of music for special, more contemporary occasions. Look forward to a classic Dixieland sound from these guys! Tom Baker’s Mardi Gras Brass will be performing at the Eugene Truax Post 4393 VFW Hall in Northfield on Friday night at 7pm.