The roots of the Emigsville Band can be traced to the late 19th century.[7] The band was founded on November 8, 1872.[2][3][8][9] 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,[10][11] and local gatherings.[2][12][13][14] The band was officially incorporated on June 24, 1878 as the "Emigsville Cornet Band."[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
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][8]
After a brief hiatus, the band reorganized on September 6, 1906 with 18 charter members.[1][2][3][4][5][9][22][23][24][25] During this period, the band met in the boiler room of the Acme Wagon Works,[15][26] formerly known as the Acme Wagon Company.[5][8]
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,[26] the band members built the Band Hall in its current location. The total cost of this effort was $1,800.[9]
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.[27] In the 1930's, the band performed at Sunday school picnics.[28] They also hosted an annual business show[5] and Halloween show[29] in the hall. From the 1930's to the 1960's, the band held annual carnivals and ox roasts[10][30][31] for the residents of Emigsville in the summer months.[32] In the fall, the band hosted turkey suppers in conjunction with the Ladies Auxiliary group.[3][33][34] In addition, the band would perform concerts in the venue.[8][35]
From the early 2000's to the present day, the band frequently performs at retirement communities.[36][37] They also continue to perform at church picnics, community events, parades,[38] and fairs.[39][40][41]
Current band
The Emigsville Band photographed on May 13, 2024 outside of their Band Hall.
Today, the band has a membership of about 80[41] volunteer[42] instrumentalists,[43] ranging from teenagers to individuals in their 80's and 90's.[24][44] The band maintains a flexible membership policy by welcoming musicians of all ages and musical proficiencies.[16][20][45][40]
The band rehearses every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at its Band Hall from February through May. The regular concert season typically runs from May to the end of October.[40] After the annual banquet on the first Monday of November, rehearsals and performances resume for the holiday concert series, which concludes around Christmas.[8][43]
Band Hall
The Emigsville Band owns their Band Hall located in the town of Emigsville.[8][15][16][18][19][22][23][46][47] This building has served as the rehearsal space for the band since its was moved to its current location in 1918.[9][43] It officially opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1918,[9][48] at which time the band had 22 members.[43]
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.[21][47]
From the band's incorporation 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][26][44][51] 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.[8]
Current leadership
Jim Rowlands, the current director of the Emigsville Band.
At its annual banquet and business meeting on the first Monday of November, the band elects its officer board.[18] The 2025[8] officer board is as follows:
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