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Showing posts from January, 2023

Ezra Wenner, Jr. Retires after 80 Years of Service to The Allentown Band

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  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 to perform Showcase Concert at New York Wind Band Festival

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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