Allentown Band

Annual Salute to Bert Meyers
2026-09-13 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | West Park Bandshell, Linden St, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
Our annual tribute to Dr. Albertus Meyers, conductor of The Allentown Band for fifty years!

Program from:
Sesquicentennial March / John Philip Sousa
Light Cavalry Overture / Franz von Suppe
Fluffy Ruffles & Chopsticks
Craig Mandelbaum, xylophone
Dance Suite / John Philip Sousa
* La Reina de la Mer Waltzes
* Peaches and Cream Fox Trot
* Gliding Girl Tango
* Washington Post March (Two Step)
Finale – New World Symphony / Anton Dvorak

Rain Site: Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 West Elm Street, Allentown

Art in the Park
2026-09-12 13:30 - 15:00 | West Park Bandshell, Linden St, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
A curated festival of arts and crafts in beautiful West Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concerts are presented at the beautiful West Park Band Shell. The Allentown Band performs at 1:30 p.m.

West Park
2026-08-16 19:00 - 20:30 | West Park Bandshell, Linden St, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
Rain Site: Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 West Elm Street, Allentown

Summer Concert
2026-08-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Waldheim Park, 2400 S Hall Street, Allentown, PA, 18103, United States
Annual concert in the beautiful outdoor tabernacle at Waldheim Park

Haines Mill Summer Concert
2026-07-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Haines Mill, 87 Haines Mill Road, Cetronia, PA, United States
Annual

Midway Manor Concert
2026-07-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Midway Manor, 2020 E. Pennsylvania St., Allentown, PA, 18109, United States
Annual
Rain Site: St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1933 Hanover Avenue, Allentown (tentative)

Celebrate America's 250th (PRIVATE)
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Masonic Village, 77 Free Mason Drive, Elizabethtown, PA, 17022, United States
PRIVATE EVENT!
Note: This concert is a private event of the Masonic Village, open to residents and their invited guests only.

Concert Sundaes in the Park
2026-07-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Souderton Community Park, 459 Wile Avenue, Souderton, PA, 18964, United States
“Concert Sundaes in the Park” 39th consecutive appearance (excluding 2020). Bring lawn chairs. Refreshments available for purchase. FREE.
Part of Souderton’s annual “Concert Sundaes in the Park” series. For more information: http://www.concertsundaes.com/
Rain Site – Souderton Senior High School, 625 Lower Road, Souderton, PA 18964

Independence Day
2026-07-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Levitt Pavilion at Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
Celebrating America’s Birthday
Rain Site: Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest

Annual Sousa Concert
2026-06-28 19:00 - 20:30 | West Park Bandshell, Linden St, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
A concert programmed in the manner of John Philip Sousa, with operatic overtures, popular music, and unannounced encores, often Sousa’s own marches.

Program from:
Sesquicentennial March / John Philip Sousa
Light Cavalry Overture / Franz von Suppe
Fluffy Ruffles & Chopsticks
Craig Mandelbaum, xylophone
Dance Suite / John Philip Sousa
* La Reina de la Mer Waltzes
* Peaches and Cream Fox Trot
* Gliding Girl Tango
* Washington Post March (Two Step)
Finale – New World Symphony / Anton Dvorak

Rain Site: Lehigh Valley Active Life Center, 1633 Elm Street, Allentown, PA

Luther Crest
2026-06-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, PA, 18104, United States
Indoor concert at the Luther Crest Community Center.

Program from:
Sesquicentennial March / John Philip Sousa
Light Cavalry Overture / Franz von Suppe
Fluffy Ruffles & Chopsticks
Craig Mandelbaum, xylophone
Dance Suite / John Philip Sousa
* La Reina de la Mer Waltzes
* Peaches and Cream Fox Trot
* Gliding Girl Tango
* Washington Post March (Two Step)
Finale – New World Symphony / Anton Dvorak

Celebrating June-teenth
2026-06-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought news of freedom to Galveston, Texas—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a national holiday symbolizing emancipation, African American resilience, and freedom.

with our Guests Eric Fennell, tenor and the Greater Shiloh Church Gospel Choir (Easton) Aaron Pearson, director

Program from:
American Salute / Morton Gould
A Movement for Rosa / Mark Camphouse
commissioned in 1992 to honor civil rights icon Rosa Parks
Old American Songs / Aaron Copland
Eric Fennell, tenor
Folk Song Suite / William Grant Still
Selections for Choir (tbd)
Freedom (Patriotic Medley) / Ken Moyer
Eric Fennell, Emile Guida and Choir
Stars and Stripes Forever / John Philip Souse
with Michael Krentz, organ

Allentown Flag Day
2026-06-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
The 119th annual celebration of American’s star-spangled banner, hosted by the Allentown Flag Day Association.

Program from:
Americans We / Henry Fillmore
Concord / Clare Grundman
National Anthem
led by Evelyn Stewart, soprano
Battle Hymn of the Republic / arr. Wilhousky
Evelyn
God Bless America / Irving Berlin, arr. Ringwald
Evelyn
Armed Forces Salute
Stars and Stripes Forever

Veterans Salute and Flag Day
2026-06-06 13:30 - 15:00 | ArtsQuest Center at Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, United States
Annual salute sponsored by Embassy Bank. In Musikfest Café at Steel Stacks

Program From
Concord / Clare Grundman
Amazing Grace / traditional
Evelyn Stewart, soprano
Victory at Sea / Robert Russell Bennett
Midway March / John Williams
Selections from “1776” / Sherman Edwards
INTERMISSION
Americans We / Henry Fillmore
Shenandoah / Frank Ticheli
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Evelyn
Armed Forces Salute
God Bless America / Irving Berlin, arr. Ringwald
Stars and Stripes Forever

Memorial Day Remembrance
2026-05-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Springhouse Middle School, 1200 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA, 18104, United States
Program From
Commando March / Samuel Barber
Liberty Fanfare / John Williams
Concord / Clare Grundman
Selections from “1776” / Sherman Edwards
Shenandoah / Frank Ticheli
Victory at Sea / Robert Russell Bennett
Armed Forces Salute
God Bless America / Irving Berlin, arr. Ringwald
Stars and Stripes Forever

250th American Heritage Celebration - CANCELLED
2026-05-23 15:30 - 17:00 | Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
Because of the forecast inclement weather,
this concert has been cancelled!

Program From
Commando March / Samuel Barber
Liberty Fanfare / John Williams
Concord / Clare Grundman
Selections from “1776” / Sherman Edwards
Shenandoah / Frank Ticheli
Victory at Sea / Robert Russell Bennett
Armed Forces Salute
God Bless America / Irving Berlin, arr. Ringwald
Stars and Stripes Forever

Hellertown Heritage Day
2026-05-16 15:30 - 17:00 | Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, 150 West Walnut Street, Hellertown, PA, 18055, United States

Testament of Freedom
2026-05-10 14:30 - 16:00 | Levitt Pavilion at Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 18015, United States
In a landmark collaboration for America’s Semiquincentennial, two of the Lehigh Valley’s most storied musical institutions – the Allentown Band, under the direction of Ron Demkee, and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, under the direction of Conductor Christopher Jackson, join forces for a powerful musical tribute to freedom, heritage, and service.
Featuring Randall Thompson’s stirring The Testament to Freedom, inspired by the words of Thomas Jefferson and other significant American texts, the program also includes selections from Bethlehem’s Moravian musical tradition – curated by the Moravian Music Foundation – which anchor the concert in the Lehigh Valley’s own rich musical legacy. Presented outdoors at the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks, this program invites audiences to rejoice in the music that gives voice to the American spirit as the Bach Choir closes out its 118th Festival.
Free performance, no tickets required!
Rain Site: ArtsQuest Cafe

This performance is just one event in the 2026 Bethlehem Bach Festival. Learn more: 2026 Bach Festival

The BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM
Christopher Jackson, Conductor
The ALLENTOWN BAND
Ronald Demkee, Conductor
AMERICA 250
Let Freedom Ring / Ryan Nowlin
The Allentown Band
*A Testament of Freedom / Randall Thompson
1. The God who gave us life
2. We have counted the cost
3. We fight not for glory
4. I shall not die without a hope
*with Bach Choir, Christopher Jackson, conducting
Yankee Doodle / Morton Gould
*Eternal Father Strong to Save / Claude T. Smith
*Hymn to the Fallen from “Saving Private Ryan” / John Williams
*Salute to the Armed Forces / Richard Hayman, arr. Steve Reisteter
*Stars and Stripes Forever / John Philip Sousa
*with Bach Choir

Jazz Appreciation Month
2026-04-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Springhouse Middle School, 1200 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA, 18104, United States
Also featuring the Parkland High School Jazz Ensemble
under the direction of Jason Lerew

Salute to American Jazz / arranged by Sammy Nestico

Dave Brubeck – A Portrait in Time / arranged by Robert W. Smith

Dream a Little Dream of ELLA! / arranged by Ken Moyer
with Jillian Rossi

Legends of Jazz / arranged Stephen Bulla

Big Band Dixie / arranged Robert Lowden
featuring Steve Reisteter, George Pierce, Mike Hahn, Caitlin Heckman, Phil Ionna and Randy Edlemen

Someone to Watch Over Me / by George Gershwin, arranged Warren Barker

Parkland High School Jazz Ensemble – TBA

In the Miller Mood / arranged Warren Barker

Annual Side-by-Side Concert
2026-04-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth Street, Allentown, PA, 18101, United States
With our guest conductor, Loras Schissel, and guest soloist Scott Shelsta, trombone.
For more than twenty years, the Allentown Band has reached thousands of students from area school districts in Lehigh and Northampton Counties with its two-pronged Education Outreach programs presented in Allentown’s Miller Symphony Hall at no cost to the students or to the school districts. In the Fall of each year, the band presents Youth Concerts designed especially for students in grades 4 to 8; and in the Spring, up to fifty select musicians in grades 9 to 12, recommended by their band directors, are invited to perform Side by Side with the Allentown Band in a public concert.

On Sunday, April 19th at 4:00 pm, fifty advanced musicians from fourteen area high schools will perform side by side with fifty members of the Allentown Band, conducted by Ronald Demkee in a free concert at Miller Symphony Hall. Mr. Loras Schissel, Senior Musicologist at the Library of Congress and retired conductor of the Virginia Grand Military Band will serve as Guest Conductor for part of the program and Mr. Scott Shelsta, former Principal Trombone with the U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, Washington, D.C. will be the featured Guest Soloist. In celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial – 250th Anniversary Year, the program will feature music exclusively of American composers, including John Williams, Morton Gould, Arthur Pryor, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rogers, and John Philip Sousa.

Loras Schissel, guest conductor

Scott Shelsta, guest artist

Loras John Schissel has served as conductor of the Blossom Festival Band since 1998. He also regularly conducts the Blossom Festival Orchestra. He is founder and music director of the Arlington-based Virginia Grand Military Band, an ensemble comprised of current and former members of the four U.S. service bands.

Turn of the century Americana trombonist Scott Shelsta has entertained people from all walks of life. As the trombone soloist for “Pershing’s Own” The United States Army Band, Scott has performed for all US Presidents from former President Richard Nixon to President George W. Bush, as well as several Foreign Heads of State and Dignitaries. One highlight of his Military Career was playing for the Interment of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier.
Scott’s forte as a trombone Solo artist features the Turn of the Century style playing. These solos are extremely demanding and seldom heard in public. The artist must obtain a careful balance between strength and flexibility which is the age-old problem of brass players everywhere. Arthur Pryor’s Blue Bells of Scotland and Air Varie are considered trombone technical showpieces. Pryor was a noted soloist for the Sousa Band prior to becoming leader and soloist of his own highly successful concert band.
More on the Miller Symphony Hall calendar of events.

Program
Part 1- Allentown Band
Liberty Fanfare / John Williams
Symphony for Band (West Point) Movement 2 “Marches” / Morton Gould
Ronald Demkee, Conducting
Air Vari / Arthur Pryor, arr. Scott Shelsta
Scott Shelsta, Trombone
American Pageant / Thomas Knox
U.S. Field Artillery March / John Philip Sousa, edited by Loras Schissel
Loras Schissel, Conducting
Intermission
Part 2- Combined with Students
Sesquicentennial Exposition March (1926) / . John Philip Sousa
A Bernstein Tribute / Clare Grundman
Ronald Demkee, Conducting
Star Dust / Hoagy Carmichael, arr. Scott Shelsta
Scott Shelsta, Trombone
Victory at Sea / Richard Rodgers, arr. Robert Russell Bennett
Stars and Stripes Forever / John Philip Sousa
Loras Schissel, Conducting

This concert is a free , non-ticketed event!

Carnegie Hall Showcase
2026-03-25 20:00 - 21:00 | Carnegie Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave, New York, NY, 10019, United States
The Allentown Band has the honor of returning to Carnegie Hall for the sixth time to present the Showcase Concert for the 2026 New York Spring Music Festival on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. This concert also is being previewed on Sunday March 15th, 3:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown.

AMERICA 250 – America’s Music
Commando March / Samuel Barber
Symphony for Band (“West Point”) 2nd Movement “Marches” / Morton Gould
Divertimento for Band II. Waltz III. Mazurka V. Turkey Trot / Leonard Bernstein
Hoe Down from “Rodeo” / Aaron Copland
Irish Tune from County Derry / Percy Grainger
Allentown Jig from Pennsylvania Faux Songs / Johan de Meij
Symphony No. 2, Finale from 2nd Movement / Charles Ives
The Stars and Stripes Forever / John Philip Sousa

Carnegie Hall Preview
2026-03-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
FREE CONCERT THE ALLENTOWN BANDRonald Demkee, Conductor

The Allentown Band once again has been invited to present the Showcase Concert at the conclusion of this year’s Spring International Music Festival, presented by World Projects at Carnegie Hall. Come hear the program that the band will perform on Wednesday March 25, 2026. Can’t attend in person? View the concert on the Christ Lutheran Church YouTube channel (see event link).

AMERICA 250 – America’s Music
Commando March / Samuel Barber
Symphony for Band (“West Point”) 2nd Movement “Marches” / Morton Gould
Divertimento for Band II. Waltz III. Mazurka V. Turkey Trot / Leonard Bernstein
Hoe Down from “Rodeo” / Aaron Copland
Irish Tune from County Derry / Percy Grainger
Allentown Jig from Pennsylvania Faux Songs / Johan de Meij
Symphony No. 2, Finale from 2nd Movement / Charles Ives
The Stars and Stripes Forever / John Philip Sousa

Celebrate Black History Month
2026-03-01 15:00 - 17:00 | Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
The Allentown Band, conducted by Ronald Demkee will present a concert commemorating Black History Month at Allentown’s Christ Lutheran Church at 3:00 pm, Sunday, March 1st,with Evelyn Stewart and Chet Brown featured soloists.

The program opens with Florence Price’s Juba Dance from Symphony No.1, followed by The Old Boatman.

Soprano Evelyn Stewart will then sing Luigi Zaninelli’s wonderful setting of Five American Spirituals including: His Eye is on the Sparrow, The Sweet by and by, Amazing Grace, Old time Religion, and Shall We Gather at the River’

The band then continues with A Folk Song Suite with Get on Board Little Children, Deep River, and Medley by William Grant Still.

Chet Brown will sing Sammy Nestico’s Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Hoagy Carmichael’s Georgia.

The band closes the concert with Scott Joplin’s Pineapple Rag and W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues.

If you aren’t able to join us in person, this concert is being live streamed on the Christ Lutheran Church YouTube channel.

The concert is free. Donations are gratefully received to support the church’s Concert Series.

POSTPONED - Celebrate Black History Month
2026-02-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18102, United States
POSTPONED TO MARCH 1, 2026 3:00 p.m.

The Allentown Band, conducted by Ronald Demkee will present a concert commemorating Black History Month at Allentown’s Christ Lutheran Church at 3:00 pm, Sunday, February 22nd,with Evelyn Stewart and Chet Brown featured soloists.

The program opens with Florence Price’s Juba Dance from Symphony No.1, followed by The Old Boatman.

Soprano Evelyn Stewart will then sing Luigi Zaninelli’s wonderful setting of Five American Spirituals including: His Eye is on the Sparrow, The Sweet by and by, Amazing Grace, Old time Religion, and Shall We Gather at the River’

The band then continues with A Folk Song Suite with Get on Board Little Children, Deep River, and Medley by William Grant Still.

Chet Brown will sing Sammy Nestico’s Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Hoagy Carmichael’s Georgia.

The band closes the concert with Scott Joplin’s Pineapple Rag and W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues.

If you aren’t able to join us in person, this concert is being live streamed on the Christ Lutheran Church YouTube channel.

The concert is free. Donations are gratefully received to support the church’s Concert Series.
