Latest from The Allentown Band

  Paul Cohen Paul Cohen is a sought-after saxophonist for orchestral and chamber concerts and solo recitals. He has appeared as soloist with the San Francisco Symphony, Richmond Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Charleston Symphony and the Philharmonia Virtuosi. His many solo orchestra performances include works by Debussy, Creston, Ibert, Glazunov, Martin, Loeffler, Husa, Dahl, Still, Villa-Lobos, Tomasi, and Cowell. He has also performed with a broad range of orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera (NYC), American Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, New Jersey Symphony, Oregon Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Long Island Philharmonic, Group for Contemporary Music, Greenwich Symphony, and New York Solisti. He has recorded three albums with the Cleveland Symphonic Winds under the direction of Frederick Fennell and a CD of the music of Villa-Lobos with the Quintet of the Americas, as well as recordings with the Philharmonia Virtuos

 With sadness, The Allentown Band reports the passing of Donald Albright, trumpet player and long-time assistant conductor. Donald became a member of the trumpet section in 1969, and was elected assistant conductor in 1982, and every year after that until his resignation from the band last year in 2022. Donald was a graduate of William Allen High School and West Chester University, degree in music education. He taught music at Raub and Trexler Middle Schools in Allentown. As a performer and conductor, Donald was active in many groups besides the Allentown Band. He played with the Jolly Bavarians, Windjammers Unlimited and the Bud Rader Orchestra . More about Donald at legacy.com

  The Allentown Band performs a concert of remembrance and hope to benefit Ukraine humanitarian efforts, Sunday August 20, 2023, 3:00 PM at Allentown's Miller Symphony Hall. The concert also celebrates Ukraine Independence Day, which is August 24th. For this special occasion, the band welcomes guest soloist Patricia Risley, mezzo soprano, guest conductor Johan De Meij, and the Bel Canto Youth Chorus of the Bethlehem Bach Choir, under the direction of Joy Kirokawa. The program opens with Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, a tone poem depicting the resilience of a people resisting the oppression of a foreign power. Johan de Meij conducts his own Symphony #4, Symphony of Songs  with Patricia Risley and the Bel Canto Youth Chorus. This composition expresses loss and hope in six songs: 1. A Year Has Now Passed; 2. When Your Dear Mother; 3. Reunion; 4. The Hostile Brothers; 5. Early Spring; 6. Song of the Harlequin The Bel Canto Youth Chorus follows this with Prayer of the Children  by Kurt Bes

  Each Spring since 2005, The Allentown Band has presented a Side by Side Concert with approximately 50 advanced high school musicians joining to perform side by side in a concert with The Allentown Band. The Allentown Band's 2023 Side by Side Concert will feature Omri Barak, Principal Trumpet with the Allentown Symphony, soloist. The program will be conducted by Ronald Demkee and Guest Conductor Major Ryan Nowlan, Assistant Conductor with the U.S. Marine Band, "The President's Own." The Allentown Band will be joined by top high school musicians from the Lehigh Valley for second part of the program. Participating student musicians are selected based on their exceptional talent and recommendation of their respective Band Directors. The program features music of American composers John Williams, Percy Grainger, Leroy Anderson, James Curnow, Ryan Nowlin and John Philip Sousa. Admission is FREE but tickets are required, and may be ordered from the Miller Symphony Hall Eve

On Tuesday March 7th, The Allentown Band played the Showcase Concert at this year's New York Wind Band Festival evening concert in the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall . The band's performance was preceded by sets from the participating student groups. The festival itself ran March 4th through the 7th. The band opened its section of the concert with John Williams' "Liberty Fanfare" and concluded with a stirring performance of the Finale from Tchaikovsky's Symphony 4 in f minor. Official photos have not been made available yet, but some band members took a few snaps: Ron outside the Maestro Suite   Omri rehearsing the Curnow "Concertpiece"   Ron and Omri with our good friend Johan De Meij. Johan conducted The Allentown Band for his own arrangement of James Bond themes. John Schwartz and Deborah Andrus Trumpet Section Trombone Section

  After an incredible 80-year tenure as a member of the Allentown Band, Ezra Wenner has decided to retire effective December 31, 2022. Ezra started playing with The Allentown Band while still a high school student, during the fall of 1942, under the direction of Bert Meyers. Over the years Ezra has served the band at various times as Trombone Section Leader, Soloist, Board Member, Librarian, and Secretary-Treasurer. He even drove the equipment truck on occasion. It is highly unlikely that anyone will ever match, let alone surpass Ezra’s tenure, dedication, and service to the band. A celebration of Ezra's service with The Allentown Band was held Wednesday January 25, 2023 at Luther Crest. Ezra Wenner received a warm well deserved reception last evening at Luther Crest from about 50 Band members and friends on the occasion of his Retirement Celebration. The evening was a jubilant occasion in celebration and recognition of Ezra Wenner's storied tenure and many contributions to th