http://qui.live.mediaspanonlinen.com/rss/ Quincy Herald Whig en-us While the fiery words of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas are taking center stage during this weekend's sesquicentennial events, the sounds of the 1st Brigade Band are playing an integral role in bringing history to life. "The band is a living museum," said Paul Schmidt of Lindenhurst, a member of the band, which is headquartered in Watertown, Wis. "The 1st Brigade Band is the foremost Civil War brass band in the country ... and has the largest collection of authentic instruments. We only play authentic instruments from the Civil War." Schmidt plays a B-flat bass saxhorn, an instrument invented by the same man who invented the saxophone. The only saxhorn still used in a modern band is the cornet, he said. Schmidt's horn was made in Boston during the 1860s. It's among about 250 antique instruments used by the 1st Brigade Band, some of which were acquired "before they became collector's items," Schmidt said. Others have been donated to the band by people or charitable organizations. http://qui.live.mediaspanonline.com/new_story/LD---1st-Brigade-Band-SUN