Latest from The Allentown Band

Did you know that the original Sousaphone was built by the JW Pepper Company in 1895? It will be on display at the Allentown Band's SOUSA CONCERT at 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 13, 2024 at Miller Symphony Hall. For an informative look at the history behind this amazing instrument, visit   this entertaining YouTube video. 2024 marks the 125th Anniversary of Allentown's Miller Symphony Hall. The SOUSA BAND played in the hall that was then known as The Lyric Theatre on four occasions (1900, 1908, 1910, and 1920.) The Allentown Band will replicate a typical concert played by Sousa and his Band during those years. Tickets On Sale at  Miller Symphony Hall Website

 Allentown Band conductor Ron Demkee just received notification that he has been selected as one of two Outstanding Conductors for 2024, by the Association of Concert Bands. Ron sent this message to band members: Like my good friend Keith Hodgson, of the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected to receive the prestigious national "2024 Outstanding Conductor Award" by the Association of Concert Bands. I'm grateful and BLESSED to have had the good fortune and honor of serving as Conductor of the Allentown Band for the past 47 years and hasten to credit and share this recognition with all of my wonderful colleagues in this venerable organization.

Followers of The Allentown Band likely are very aware that Ron Demkee, a very long-tenured conductor of the band, also has been the Associate/Pops Conductor and Principal Tuba Ronald Demkee of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Ron is retiring from these positions at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season, which will be his 45th season as a member of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. (FEAR NOT! Ron is continuing in his position at the band's helm.) “Live music in the Lehigh Valley and Ron Demkee are synonymous,” said ASO Music Director/Conductor Diane Wittry. “We are honored at the Allentown Symphony to have had such a long association with Ron both as Principal Tuba and as Associate/Pops Conductor. " Ron's tenure with the Allentown Symphony started in the 1979-80 season when he became principal tuba, and first performed in that role in January 1980. He became Associate Conductor in 1983, assisting founding Music Director Donald Voorhees, and occasionally leading classical

Each spring since 2005, The Allentown Band has presented an ambitious program with participation by advanced high school student musicians from high schools throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. It is an honor for the Allentown Band to have these gifted high school musicians join Side-by-Side in concert at Allentown's historic and beautiful Miller Symphony Hall. The Allentown Band's 2024 Side by Side Concert will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday April 28th at Miller Symphony Hall. We are pleased to announce that Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone with the New York Philharmonic, will be our featured soloist. The program will be conducted by Ronald Demkee and Guest Conductor Col. John R. Bourgeois (ret.) conductor emeritus of the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own." Admission is free but tickets are required. Contact Miller Symphony Hall Box Office 610.432.6716, or order online at www.millersymphonyhall.org. The full program for this concert is av

  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