The Blawenburg Band will commemorate its 132nd Anniversary year with a free concert on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 3:00pm at the Hopewell Valley Central High School Performing Arts Center in Pennington, NJ.
Founded in Blawenburg, New Jersey in 1890, the Blawenburg Band continues a great tradition that began when towns depended on their own people for live musical entertainment. The group is one of the oldest community bands in the state and among the most active. Conducted since 1985 by Dr. Jerry Rife, Retired Professor of Music and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Rider University, the band historically performs about 20 concerts a year throughout the area. They play at holiday parades, community celebrations, church socials, and senior centers and retirement homes. Some of the most popular and well attended public concerts are in the summer outdoor series in Hopewell Borough.
The anniversary concert program this year continues the tradition of presenting a rich selection of music from the concert band repertoire, with the usual mix including marches, medleys, overtures and patriotic music. Major selections include The King and I and Rogers and Hart Medley by Richard Rogers, Intermezzo from Caballeria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and the world premier of Winter Sunrise by band member Samuel (Skip) Livingston. A special feature of this year’s concert will be traditional and contemporary music dedicated to the citizens of Ukraine.
The band has about 60 active members, ranging in age from their teens to their nineties. They are dedicated amateurs as well as musicians with formal musical training and professional experience. Members include teachers, business people, computer specialists, homemakers, medical professionals and active retirees. They all have in common a love and talent for playing their instrument and a desire to make music for the community.
The high school Performing Arts Center is located at 259 Pennington-Titusville Road in Pennington, NJ. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
