If you enjoy music from the Civil War era—or want to learn something about it—here's a great opportunity for you: The 15th Annual Gettysburg Music Muster is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Gettysburg National Military Park, and the concerts are free.

The event features performances by "authentic Civil War musicians" at five locations in Gettysburg, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until sunset. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas, lunches and blankets to spread on the grass at the performance areas.

The first performance is in front of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike. Additional performances take place on the back lawn of the Museum and Visitor Center from 10:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., and at the Dobbin House Courtyard from noon to 4:30 p.m. Later in the day, two memorials on the Gettysburg battlefield serve as performance venues. Performances take place at the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and at the Pennsylvania Memorial from 5:30 p.m. until sunset.

For a complete schedule of the day's activities, click here.

The 2009 Gettysburg Music Muster will feature the following groups:

• Susquehanna Travellers, a band that got its start playing traditional tunes around the campfire at reenactments;

• Victorian Dance Ensemble will call and perform dance numbers of the era in Victorian dress with a performance that always includes audience participation;

• 2nd South Carolina String Band, playing the music that was in the hearts and minds of soldiers in both armies during the Civil War;

• 77th New York Regimental Balladeers, returning this year with vocalist Gisella Montanez-Case;

• Camp Chase Fifes and Drums, whose 26-members have been leaders in the historical military field music scene since the 1980s;

• 46th Pennsylvania Regiment Band, "The Logan Guards." This 12-member band will perform with historical instruments of the day, playing the music that kept the men in step while on the march;

• David Kincaid, "The Irish Volunteer," will play the music of the Irish soldier, appealing to both history buffs and Irish music fans alike; and

• Music Americana, an authentic 12-piece orchestra which will perform in the style and dress of the Civil War era.

Additional information about all of the performers is available on the park website, which also includes driving directions to the area.