Located in Lewistown Pennsylvania, the bands of Lewistown have an illustrious history, dating back to 1829 when the first canal boat, "The Juniata", arrived in Lewistown to the shouts of the populace and the cheering music of the Lewistown Band, which was onboard. During the coming decades many businesses, such as Standard Steel, and organizations, such as fire companies and boy scouts, had their musicians unite to provide appropriate music for community events and celebrations.
In 1939 Palmer MItchell started the local VFW Band with 14 musicians that would soon grow into a roster
of sixty-six members, winning in competition the title of Pennsylvania State Champion Senior VFW Band by 1941,
The group then evolved during the 1950's into the Elks Band, under the direction of Eugene Mitchell.
After years of silence, the musicians of the area were reorganized in the 1980's under the direction of MIchael Wasilko and Phillip Wysocki as the Mifflin County Community Band. That endeavor lasted two years. In 1991 these two directors, with the help of Arthur Belfiore, revived the Elks Band, which has evolved into the present day Lewistown Community Band. The Band continues to grow, and is currently under the direction of Peter Marsh and assistant director Terry Lee Lewis.
The Lewistown Community Band is a traditional concert band made up of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. We are composed of post high school adults, and invite those who currently play or have played a band instrument to take part.
Our summer repertoire includes Broadway, Television and Movies, Marches, Jazz, Sacred, and Classical styles,
while our Holiday Concerts include Traditional Carols and Modern Holiday Music.
All instruments are needed, and no audition is required.
Maybe it's been a few years since you played. That's OK, just clean up the old horn.A pad or two, some reeds
or a few drops of valve oil and come to a few rehearsals. It will come back to you and you'll have fun.
We rehearse Monday nights from 7pm to 9pm, usually starting in April, and perform a number of concerts
throughout the summer months, ending our concert season in late August.
The band takes a short break and starts rehearsing again in October to prepare for our Holiday Concerts.
You can check our schedule page for the latest concert dates and rehearsal times.
So come on and join the fun of the Lewistown Community Band!
For further information about joining contact Freda Richard at 717-242-2344or e-mail her at farfcr@verizon.net
You'll be glad you did!