The roots of the Emigsville Band can be traced to the late 19th century. The band was founded on November 8, 1872.[2][3][7][8] Henry L. Dinderman served as the inaugural director.[5][6] At the time, the band rehearsed in an old schoolhouse in the village of Emigsville.[5] They would perform at various community events, parades,[9][10] and local gatherings.[2][11][12][13] The band was incorporated on June 24, 1878 as the "Emigsville Cornet Band."[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]
The band initially consisted of 16 men[3] who were employed with the Acme Wagon Works company. During the
Industrial Revolution, it was common for employers to have their employees play in a part of an eponymous
community band.[3][7]
After a brief hiatus, the band reorganized on September 6, 1906 with 18 charter members.[1][2][3][4][5][8][21][22][23][24] During this period, the band met in the boiler room of the Acme Wagon Works,[14][25] formerly known as the Acme Wagon Company.[5][7]
The Emigsville Band photographed circa 1920, shortly after the establishment of their Band Hall.
In 1918, the band purchased lumber from a company that had gone out of business in
York. Hauling the wood by horse-drawn
wagon,[25] the band members built the Band Hall in its current location. The total cost of this effort was $1,800.[8]
The band has historically used its Band Hall to host a variety of community events. In the 1910's, the band hosted a series of fairs each year.[26] In the 1930's, the band performed at Sunday school picnics.[27] They also hosted an annual business show[5] and
Halloween show[28] in the hall. From the 1930's to the 1960's, the band held annual carnivals and ox roasts[9][29][30] for the residents of Emigsville in the summer months.[31] In the fall, the band hosted
turkey suppers in conjunction with the Ladies Auxiliary group.[3][32][33] In addition, the band would perform concerts in the venue.[7][34]
From the early 2000's to the present day, the band frequently performs at retirement communities.[35][36] They also continue to perform at church picnics, community events, parades,[37] and fairs.[38]
Current band
The Emigsville Band photographed on May 15, 2023 outside of their Band Hall.
Today, the band has a membership of over 50 volunteer[39] instrumentalists,[40] ranging from teenagers to individuals in their 80's and 90's.[23][41] The band maintains a flexible membership policy by welcoming musicians of all ages and musical proficiencies.[15][19][42] Concert season starts in May and concludes each year with a holiday concert series.[7][40]
Band Hall
The Emigsville Band owns their Band Hall located in the town of Emigsville.[7][14][15][17][18][21][22][43][44] This building has served as the rehearsal space for the band since its was moved to its current location in 1918.[8][40] It officially opened on
Thanksgiving Day in 1918,[8][45] at which time the band had 22 members.[40]
The band rents the Band Hall out to a tenant to offset costs. Currently, the Roundtown Baptist Church rents the building while maintaining a contractual obligation to allow the band to practice on Monday evenings.[20][44]
From the band's founding in 1878 until the
COVID-19 pandemic, the band had an annual
tradition of performing
Christmas carols on Christmas Day for the residents of the village of Emigsville.[2][25][41][48] After the
pandemic, the tradition transitioned into providing free community Christmas concerts in the Band Hall. This was done in an effort to accommodate a greater audience as well as a greater turnout of band members.[7]
Current Leadership
Jim Rowlands, the current
director of the Emigsville Band.
Each year, the band elects an
officer board.[17] The 2024[7] officer board is as follows: