Widely considered to be one of the finest groups on the East Coast specializing in authentic music of the 19th Century, with special emphasis on the Civil War era, Richmond based Southern Horizon has firmly established its reputation over more than twenty years of performing at concert venues, reenactments, museum, schools, and period dances. 

The band performs in costume, using instruments and arrangements similar to what would have been found in the mid 1800's.  But these songs and tunes are not treated like museum relics!  Each piece is arranged and performed with spirit and verve.  The music is drawn on the traditions of the people who played it:  Scottish, Irish and English influences combine with the turbulence, joy and sadness of this period in American history.  In the words of one reviewer:

 "I am so glad talented people like these fine musicians continue to foster this form of period music. Now please, let me sit back with my mint julep, put my feet up, close my eyes, and let this music transport me back to the 1860's." - Art Garret, review, Civil War News, 2000.

Visit Southern Horizon's website , where you can listen to sound samples from their CDs:  Fields Of Glory/The Girl I Left Behind Me and Do They Miss Me at Home?  It's also interesting to browse their "About the Songs" section and get an idea of the extensive research that is involved in each song.   Each member of Southern Horizon is a seasoned professional, bringing top notch musicianship and a deep appreciation for the history behind the music.  They've got a new lineup for this season (John Robison and Sue Tarr are the founding members of the group) which brings a fresh dimension to their sound.

 John Robison - Vocals, banjo, guitar, autoharp, pennywhistle and harmonica. John's musical career began in the folk boom of the 1960's in the coffeehouses in and around Washington, D.C. He is experienced as a solo performer and with folk, country and bluegrass groups.  John also performs with the Irish music duo Turf Fire. 

 

Sue Tarr - Vocals and violin. Sue is a classically trained violinist and has performed with the Richmond, Virginia, Charleston, West Virginia, and Huntington, West Virginia symphonies. She is a balladeer for Colonial Williamsburg and is experienced in folk, Celtic, country, bluegrass and jazz.  Sue also performs with the  the Irish/Old Timey group Tinker's Damn                             

  

Roger Reynolds - Vocals and guitar.  Roger is a versatile vocalist, composer, arranger, leader and teacher.  He holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The University of Miami in Studio Music and Jazz Voice Performance.  Roger teaches at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia and also performs with the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet. 

   

Lynn Trott - vocals, guitar, bodhran, dance mistress. Lynn is a classically trained lyric soprano. She studied at the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria, and has taken private instruction in oboe and Viola da Gamba. She has been a balladeer for Colonial Williamsburg since the mid 1980's and performed with renaissance consorts, celtic groups, and with the Runaway String Band .