About The Hackettstown Community Band

OVERVIEW

We are a community band with a full range of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.
We play a wide variety of music: marches, overtures, show tunes, popular music, jazz. See Music Listing
Our membership ranges from talented junior high students to seasoned musicians who play professionally.
Our membership is open, with no auditions and no fees.
Members bring their own instruments and music stands, the band provides the music.
We practice every Thursday from 7:30-9:30 pm at the Hackettstown Community Center in Hackettstown.
For directions, see Where We Rehearse
For more information about membership, see the Members' Handbook

HISTORY

The Hackettstown Community Band has been a continuously organized group in Hackettstown since 1947. Earlier known as the Hackettstown Fire Department Band, it has been under its present banner since 1976. In 1992, it was incorporated in the State of New Jersey as a not-for-profit corporation, and has obtained a tax exempt status from the IRS.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Hackettstown Community Band is to provide musicians of all social and musical backgrounds the opportunity to rehearse, perform, and enlarge their musical skills. Performances of concerts and parades are engaged to provide a cultural
experience for the community and to promote civic pride, spirit, and patriotism.

GOVERNMENT

The Hackettstown Community Band is governed by a nine-member executive committee, consisting of the band conductor and elected officers and trustees.

MEMBERSHIP

Band membership is open to any person with a reasonable amount of playing ability who espouses the band's purpose and culture, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or country of national origin. There are no auditions or membership fees. Weekly practices are held at the Hackettstown Community Center (directions) on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, year round, excluding holidays and inclement weather. Members bring their own instruments. Sheet music and chairs are provided. No advance notice is required for new members to attend practice.

FUNCTIONS

Along with the weekly practices, the band has an active schedule of concerts and parades throughout northern New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania and southern New York state. The concert repertoire includes: overtures, marches, show tunes, instrumental solos, popular tunes and novelty pieces. Our parade calendar throughout the spring, summer and fall includes fire department parades and town celebrations such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. (calendar)

Participation is always voluntary! All our members do not make every event. Some members may prefer not to participate in parades and others not to play concerts. Each has individual interests, as well as other responsibilities and commitments that can limit the individual's participation. The band appreciates whatever time and talent that can be shared from each member.

Copyright 2000, 2002, 2006 Hackettstown Community Band, Inc. All rights reserved.