The Allentown Band

Civilian concert band (community band) based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the oldest civilian concert band in the United States, having been in continuous existence since its first documented performance on July 4, 1828, although its origins may trace back to as early as 1822. An early newspaper, "The Republican," published a story that the "Allentown Military Band" performed as a fife and drum corps as early as early as 1822. In the same article, the band is referred to as the "Northampton Military Band." This causes some confusion because both the band and the town were referred to by different names throughout the early nineteenth century. Prior to 1838, the community now known as Allentown was officially Northampton. The current sixty-five member band represent a true cross-section of population -- doctors, engineers, teachers, business people, merchants, sales personnel, service professionals, and students. The membership also ranges from high school students to senior citizens with more than sixty years in the band. While none of the members makes his/her living through music performance, all bring a professional attitude to every rehearsal and performance. The band has a unique tie to the March King, "John Philip Sousa," who recruited no less than twenty members from The Allentown Band for his own professional band. The most influential of these Sousa alumni was Albertus L. Meyers, who after performing as a cornet soloist with the Sousa Band returned to conduct The Allentown Band for fifty-one years. For a period of ninety years the band was under the leadership of only two conductors -- Martin Klingler (1886-1926) and Albertus L. Meyers (1926-1976). Ronald Demkee, who joined the band as a tuba player in 1964, was elected Conductor in 1977. A chronology of conductors follows: Anthony Heinicke, 1851-52; Major Amos Ettinger, 1853-60; William Minninger , 1861-78; Lucas Westmeyer, 1879; Prof. Waldemar Grossman, 1880-85; Martin Klingler, 1886-1926; Albertus Meyers, 1926-76; Ronald P. Sherry 1977; Ronald Demkee, 1978- present. A list of some of famous guest conductors appearing with the group include: Edwin Franko Goldman, Giuseppe Creatore, Herbert L. Clarke, Henry Fillmore, Arthur Pryor, Ernest S. Williams, Peter Buyes, Paul Lavalle, Lucien Cailliet, Leonard B. Smith, Donald Voorhees, Thomas Darcy, Samuel R. Loboda, William Santleman, John R. Bourgeois, Eugene W. Allen, L. Bryan Shelburne, Lewis J. Buckley, Keith Brion, Arnald D. Gabriel, Gary F. Lamb, and Frederick Fennell. Some of the soloists who have appeared with the band are: Milton Cross (2), W. Paris Chambers, Joseph Orlando DeLuca, Walter M. Smith, Del Staigers, Herbert L. Clarke, Leonard B. Smith, Scott Shelsta, Tyrone Breuninger, and Frank Kaderabek.