Band History
In 1883, a former Civil War soldier who later became a dentist in town started a band in Mercersburg. Dr. David Grosh called it the Eagle Cornet Band, and it performed at church picnics, parades, and political rallies in the town square until the death of its last director in 1943.
After World War II, in 1946, the citizens of Mercersburg formed a new band called the American Legion Band. Soldiers home from the war were glad for the chance to play in a band again, but membership wasn't limited to American Legion members — anyone who played an instrument was welcome to join. In time, the name changed to the Mercersburg American Legion Community Band.
The band became a particularly important part of life in Mercersburg in the 1950s and early 1960s. It wasn't unusual for the band to perform 35 to 40 times a year — picnics, festivals, and parades not only in Mercersburg but in surrounding communities, where it won many prizes for excellence in marching and musicianship.
As the 1960s turned into the 1970s, interest faded, and in 1972 the band disbanded. For 14 years its music gathered dust in the old Band Hall off South Main Street. In 1986, town resident Fred Wagner decided it was time for another community band. Mr. Wagner directed the band for 20 years and renamed it the Mercersburg Area Community Band to better reflect its membership.
Our Team
In 2006, Mr. Wagner moved from the Mercersburg area and Gary Louder assumed the position of band director, a role he held for many years before handing the baton to today's leadership. The band rehearses once a week during the summer months and plays 5 or 6 concerts in Mercersburg and its surrounding communities. Membership consists of approximately 45 musicians from many walks of life.
During the summer of 2010, the band celebrated its 25th season since reforming under the name Mercersburg Area Community Band. To mark the occasion, the band commissioned Gary Fagan of Charlottesville, VA, to write a piece specifically for the band. "Mercersburg — A Celebration of People and Place" debuted that summer, with Gary Fagan conducting the piece at the band's annual July 4th performance in the Kiwanis Bandshell at Chambersburg Memorial Park.
Officers
| Director | Jack Hawbaker |
| Assistant Director | Shami Beni |
| President | Mark Metcalfe |
| Vice President | Linda Shade |
| Treasurer | Jayne Metcalfe |
| Secretary | Sherry Rosenberry |
| Arranger / Librarian | Steve Trevitz |
| Equipment Manager | Jeffrey Shetter |
| Advertising / Publicity | Barry Boyer |
| Scholarship | Pat Beard |
| Trustee | Dick Anderson |
| Trustee | Deb Welsh |