The Emigsville Band Explained

The Emigsville Band
Background:group_or_band
Alias:Acme Cornet Band of Emigsville
Origin:Emigsville, Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania, United States
Genre:Concert band
Years Active:Founded: November 8, 1872Incorporated: June 24, 1878

The Emigsville Band is a concert band based in Emigsville, York County, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1872 as the Acme Cornet Band of Emigsville.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] It is one of the oldest community bands in York County that is still active today.

History

The roots of the Emigsville Band can be traced to the late 19th century. The band was founded on November 8, 1872.[6] [7] Henry L. Dinderman served as the inaugural director.[8] At the time, the band rehearsed in an old schoolhouse in the village of Emigsville. They would perform at various community events, parades,[9] [10] and local gatherings.[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 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.

After a brief hiatus, the band reorganized on September 6, 1906 with 18 charter members.[21] [22] [23] [24] During this period, the band met in the boiler room of the Acme Wagon Works,[25] formerly known as the Acme Wagon Company.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.

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 and Halloween show[28] in the hall. From the 1930's to the 1960's, the band held annual carnivals and ox roasts[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.[32] [33] In addition, the band would perform concerts in the venue.[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

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.[41] The band maintains a flexible membership policy by welcoming musicians of all ages and musical proficiencies.[42] Concert season starts in May and concludes each year with a holiday concert series.

Band Hall

The Emigsville Band owns their Band Hall located in the town of Emigsville.[43] [44] This building has served as the rehearsal space for the band since its was moved to its current location in 1918. It officially opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1918,[45] at which time the band had 22 members.

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.

Musical repertoire

The Emigsville Band's musical repertoire includes American patriotic music, sacred/religious music, contemporary selections like marches, show tunes, medleys, and popular songs.[46] [47]

Traditions

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.[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.

Current Leadership

Each year, the band elects an officer board. The 2024 officer board is as follows:

Discography

The band has released several albums.

Notes and References

  1. News: 1956-06-10 . Emigsville Band Marks 'Golden Horn' Year . 12 . Sunday News . 2023-12-14.
  2. Web site: Lumsargis . Maxine . February 2012 . A Glimpse of Manchester Township History . December 13, 2023 . Manchester Township – York County, Pennsylvania.
  3. News: 1974-08-30 . Emigsville Band entertains Sunday . 18 . The News-Chronicle . 2023-12-13.
  4. News: September 6, 1906 . Band at Emigsville: Organization Formed and Officers Elected Last Evening . 1 . . December 12, 2023.
  5. News: August 24, 1939 . Emigsville Band to Sponsor Seven-Night Affair in Local Hall . 8 . . December 13, 2023.
  6. Web site: Small towns and what worked: New generation of Emigsville Band tells 150-year story . 2024-02-22 . York Daily Record . en-US.
  7. News: 1980-11-20 . Emigsville band officers . 7 . . 2023-12-14.
  8. News: 1939-08-25 . Plan Business Show . 25 . . 2023-12-13.
  9. News: 1935-05-22 . Emigsville Looks for Busy Week-End . 8 . . 2023-12-14.
  10. News: 1875-08-31 . Parade at New Cumberland . 1 . . 2023-12-13.
  11. News: 1921-09-21 . Farquhar Park Concert . 12 . . 2023-12-13.
  12. News: 1873-07-22 . Article clipped from York Gazette . 2 . York Gazette . 2023-12-13.
  13. News: 1876-08-12 . A Band Festival . 1 . . 2023-12-13.
  14. News: 1986-10-07 . Emigsville Band To Celebrate 80th Year . 29 . . 2023-12-14.
  15. News: 1994-02-10 . Band marks 116th year . 54 . . 2023-12-14.
  16. News: 1878-06-25 . Court . 1 . . 2023-12-13.
  17. News: 2006-03-07 . Article clipped from York Daily Record . 35 . . 2023-12-13.
  18. News: 2006-01-10 . Emigsville: Seeks members . 28 . . 2023-12-13.
  19. News: 2010-01-29 . Emigsville: Band welcomes newcomers . 28 . . 2023-12-13.
  20. News: 2009-01-29 . Band wants musicians . 39 . . 2023-12-13.
  21. News: 1980-02-26 . Emigsville band calls for musicians . 6 . . 2023-12-14.
  22. News: 1953-08-09 . Newest 'Combo' In County . 32 . Sunday News . 2023-12-14.
  23. News: 1981-08-22 . Emigsville Band On the Scene 75 Years . 30 . . 2023-12-13.
  24. News: September 8, 1906 . Band For Emigsville . 8 . The Gazette . December 12, 2023.
  25. News: 1981-08-22 . Emigsville Band On the Scene 75 Years (cont.) . 23 . . 2023-12-13.
  26. News: 1919-11-08 . 'Round York County . 6 . . 2023-12-13.
  27. News: 1937-08-02 . Sunday Schools Hold Picnics . 7 . . 2023-12-13.
  28. News: 1937-10-27 . Complete Plans for Halloween Social at Emigsville Hall . 8 . The Gazette and Daily . 2023-12-13.
  29. News: 1957-05-01 . Emigsville Band Plans Ox Roast . 19 . . 2023-12-13.
  30. News: 1949-06-15 . Ox Roast . 23 . . 2023-12-13.
  31. News: June 16, 1951 . Festival Tonight at Pleasureville . 13 . . December 13, 2023.
  32. News: 1964-11-18 . Band, Auxiliary Elect Officers . 14 . . 2023-12-13.
  33. News: October 7, 1965 . Public Turkey Supper Oct. 9 at Emigsville . 36 . . December 13, 2023.
  34. News: 1948-04-24 . Emigsville Band To Give Concert . 16 . . 2023-12-13.
  35. News: 2021-05-19 . Outdoor Concert Featuring the Emigsville Band . A10 . . 2023-12-13.
  36. News: 2012-08-10 . Article clipped from The Sentinel . 19 . . 2023-12-13.
  37. News: 2006-03-06 . St. Pat's parade Saturday . 28 . . 2023-12-13.
  38. News: 2000-07-20 . Tap the fun at annual Micro Brew Fest . 49 . . 2023-12-13.
  39. News: 1990-07-29 . In York, music of community bands fading away . 22 . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 2023-12-14.
  40. Web site: Emigsville Band – About . 2023-12-13 . www.theemigsvilleband.com.
  41. News: December 27, 1999 . Band plays through time . 1 . . December 12, 2023.
  42. News: 2010-01-28 . Emigsville Band Rehearsals Begin . 40 . The Evening Sun . 2023-12-13.
  43. News: 1985-02-06 . Emigsville Band needs musicians . 7 . . 2023-12-14.
  44. News: 2008-01-29 . Emigsville Band: Needs musicians . 24 . . 2023-12-13.
  45. News: 1918-11-27 . To Observe Holiday . 6 . . 2023-12-13.
  46. News: 2007-06-13 . Emigsville Band to visit Codorus park . 2023-12-13 . The Evening Sun . 3.
  47. Web site: Spotify . 2023-12-13 . open.spotify.com.
  48. News: 1965-12-26 . York Co. Reverberates With Christmas Music As Traditions Continue . 2023-12-14 . Sunday News . 52.

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