Our Active Present

More than just a local band performing at church festivals and civic events, The Quakertown Band is known across the region for its performances of both historic and contemporary music.

Because the band is over 130 years old, it has a unique direct connection with the music that comprises the heritage of band literature. Anniversaries are often commemorated by the band, as evidenced when the band recognized the 150^th birthday of John Philip Sousa.

A year long celebration of the band’s 125^th Anniversary took place in 2002. The band’s annual March concert included former conductors and soloists. Internationally known composer Robert Jager conducted his "Concert in the Park," commissioned by the Quakertown Band for this occasion. The celebration concluded in August with a community-wide "Vintage Event" where an estimated 2500 people enjoyed a day-long party, culminating with a band performance that included a laser show.

In recent years the band has participated in several anniversary celebrations in conjunction with Willow Grove Park, which during its first 25 years was known as "America’s Summer Music Capitol." This tradition continued in May 2006 when the band was the featured performer group in Abington's gala Centennial celebration.

The Quakertown Band was one of four selected from across the United States for a documentary entitled "Meet the Band – Celebrating Over 200 Years of Community Bands." The hour-long program is awaiting sponsorship for broadcast on public or cable television.

The sounds of the Quakertown Band gained national exposure with the production of three CDs: "Firsts and Favorites," "The 125^th Anniversary Celebration CD," and "Quakertown Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Celebrating Quakertown’s 150^th Birthday," which includes the Quakertown Sesquicentennial March, written especially for the celebration.

The 45-member organization is comprised of both amateur and semi-professional musicians of all ages, many holding music degrees. The typical program includes overtures, Broadway and movie show tunes, big band, swing, and Dixieland music, and marches. Theme concerts can also be arranged.