10:02 PM EST
In Franklin, PA
Photo by Stephen
West - Franklin Silver Cornet Band
president Ed Frye (left) presents awards for long-time
membership to Gerald Frey (58 years),
Roland Davis (50 years), Richard "Doc" Eshelman (58 years)
and Sandy Davis (25 years) during the band's
performance Thursday evening August 7, 2003, at Bandstand Park.
Founded in 1856
The Franklin Silver Cornet Band was founded in 1856. Within twenty years, it had grown from a small, unstable organization to the distinguished group pictured below. The 1876 band traveled to Philadelphia for the national Centennial. Regular functions of the early band included music for visiting dignitaries such as Governors and even President Grant, parades, picnics, mush and milk festivals, and, of course concerts at the bandstand.
The band has weathered numerous storms through the years. Six wars have taken their toll of members. The ups and downs of the oil industry have affected band membership. In 1886, a fire claimed the band's music, instruments and uniforms. In the early 1920's, the group even briefly disbanded, to quickly reform with the help of the Rocky Grove Band. The 1950's saw the demise of thousands of bands all across the country, but the Franklin Band, often with but a handful of members, carried on. Today they continue on as one of America's oldest traditional town bands.
While the band's main activities are parades and concerts in the Franklin area, it has also toured extensively. The band was the only non-military unit to appear in Philadelphia for both Centennial and Bi-Centennial celebrations. it has also performed at Rehoboth Beach, Gettysburg, Hershey Park, Chautuauqua Institution, and the Smithsonian Institution. The band also presents an annual pops concert in Franklin's own Barrow-Civic Theater.
The Franklin band has always enjoyed a partnership with the city government. In the early 1920's, city government was instrumental in preserving the band. Since that time, the city has provided the band with a home and support, allowing it to avoid the financial worries that plague most other groups. In recent years, the band has also benefited from the support of the Franklin Fine Arts Council and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
The Franklin Silver Cornet Band is one of America's oldest volunteer community bands. Membership has always presented a cross-section of the community that the band serves; carriage-makers, lawyers, dentists, merchants, machinists, and retired citizens have all been a part of this group. Today's band continues that tradition as nearly one hundred members throughout the area donate their time and talent to providing free live music to the community.
There was a time, before radio or television or movies, that every small town in America had its own band. Folks gathered on the cool green grass on a warm summer evening to hear their friends and neighbors play band music. In many communites, band concerts in the park are a thing of the past, but in Franklin, the tradition has continued for over 140 years. Come and enjoy the tradition with us. Come hear a town band.
-- Author Unknown
2007 CONCERT
SCHEDULE
June 14, 2007
June 28, 2007
July 12, 2007
July 26, 2007
August 9, 2007
August 23, 2007
All concerts begin at 7:30 PM in Franklin's South Park at the bandstand (just follow Routes 8, 62, or 322 through town) and are free and open to the public. Bring your own folding chair or blankets, and a little pocket change for popcorn.
Additional
Links:
franklin-pa.org
website: Franklin Silver Cornet Band
Last Updated: Monday, 04-Jun-2007 10:46:52 EDT
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