Latest from The Allentown Band

  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

The Allentown Band has been invited to perform the Showcase Concert for the New York Wind Band Festival presented by World Projects at Carnegie Hall, NYC at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Conductor Ronald Demkee will conduct the band in John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” Percy Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy and the Finale to Tchaikovski’s “Symphony No. 4” Guest Soloist Omri Barak, Principal Trumpet with the Allentown Symphony, will perform James Curnow’s “Concertpiece.” Internationally acclaimed Dutch composer Johan de Meij will conduct the premier performance of his new arrangement of “James Bond 007” for Wind Orchestra. The festival is a three-day adjudicated event for high school, college, and adult bands from across the United States and Europe culminating with the Showcase Concert by the Allentown Band. The band has performed this prestigious Showcase Concert at Carnegie Hall for this festival on three previous occasions- in 2009, 2016 and 2019. The band has also performed the S

We are delighted to report that Major Ryan Nowlin, Assistant Conductor, US Marine Band will serve as Guest Conductor for the Allentown Band Side by Side Concert at Miller Symphony Hall on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Details to follow. Major Ryan J. Nowlin Assistant Director Major Ryan J. Nowlin joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in August 2010 as staff arranger. He was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned a first lieutenant in July 2014, earned the rank of captain in July 2016, and was promoted to his current rank in January 2020. He was appointed Executive Officer and Senior Assistant Director in May 2018. With “The President’s Own,” Maj. Nowlin has arranged and composed a variety of music for the Marine Band, Marine Chamber Orchestra, brass ensembles, and various small ensembles. He has written arrangements for an array of guest artists for national events, including a 2013 collaboration with Kelly Clarkson (“America”) and Beyoncé (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) fo

Good News! This year's Youth Concerts were recorded by Kutztown University video production team. Your correspondent does not know how long these will be available, but these can be enjoyed for now. Videos Courtesy of Kutztown University Allentown Band Concert November 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM  (Program begins about 14 minutes in...) Allentown Band Concert November 16, 2022 at Noon (Program begins about 3 minutes in...)