Bangor 150th Anniversary Celebration Band

While promoting awareness of the “Golden Age of Bands” (1880 – 1930), when American instrumental bands were emerging in local towns, this performance will pay tribute to the Pennsylvania bands of the Slate Belt.  The local musical bands providing both adult and youth performances during celebrations, parades, summer concerts, religious events, and even experiences during time of inclement weather when working in the slate quarries was not the best.  Fast forwarding to today, the Slate Belt Heritage Center serves as a tribute to the early Slate Belt settlers and showcases their unique blend of ethnic cultures through special events and celebrations.  One of those special celebrations is the Bangor 150th Anniversary Celebration and this performance is designed to support such event while providing local band heritage awareness, high quality music making opportunities for performers, and meaningful communication through music for the audience.

Any brass, woodwind, and percussion instrumentalists, regardless of age and ability, can participate in the celebration band.  Any alumni and acquaintances from the Slate Belt is strongly encouraged to join us!  Instrumentalists will rehearse together one day prior to the performance and will be provided music the month before the event.  It is fun to see familiar faces and make new musician friends from various other bands while of course entertaining audience members who are very welcome to enjoy the performance!

The Bangor 150th Anniversary Celebration Band performance will take place at 4:30 pm on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (after the parade) at the Slate Belt Heritage Center (30 North 1st Street, Bangor PA, 18013).  The celebration band will only rehearse prior to the performance on Saturday, June 7, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm with a half hour setup prior at the Bee Hive Community Center (197 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bangor 18013).  Band performance call time will be 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at the Slate Belt Heritage Center.  The performance will be conducted by Dr. Joshua E. Long, PhD.

Instrumentalists must register below.  The nominal fee for your involvement in the performance will provide delivery of music, a shirt for the event, and participation at the venue.  For the event you will need your instrument (percussionists we will have some equipment but we will coordinate with you prior to the event), music stand, chair, music that was delivered to you, khaki shorts for the concert, plenty of water, and your smile!

The performance will feature standard wind band literature and selections written for the Slate Belt.  Please message for a complete list of pieces to be performed.

We cannot say this statement enough; our main goal is to bring music into the community.  Therefore, we want and NEED you, come share your talent, dust off your brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument and be a part of LIVE music and the Bangor 150th Anniversary Celebration!  We will have fun making music together!!

If you are interested in sponsoring and promoting historic band appreciation through this event, please CONTACT US.  Thank you to the sponsors below who have been very helpful with our initiative!