PHOTO PROVIDED The Repasz Band has participated in many Grand Slam Parades in its more than 190-year history.

When it comes to Williamsport’s world-famous Repasz Band, there is sometimes a question as to whether it really is America’s oldest community band; but one thing is certain: They sure have been around a long time.

In fact, the ensemble’s 200th anniversary is just six years away; and that observance will cap off a distinguished history marked by repeated military service and hundreds of concerts–plus various honors for musical and historical achievement.

Founded in Williamsport in 1831, the band was named in the 1850s for then-director Daniel Repasz. During the Civil War, the group enlisted in the Union Army, serving in the 11th and 29th regiments of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, and later in the 8th Cavalry.

Their service in that conflict reached its apex when they played at Appomattox for Lee’s surrender to Grant. And then, in 2015, the National Park Service invited Repasz back to that site to perform for its sesquicentennial celebration.

Along the same lines, Repasz played at the 1897 dedication of Grant’s Tomb in Manhattan–and again, was asked back to perform for the 100th anniversary of that event in 1997.

Following the initial dedication at Grant’s Tomb, Repasz saw further military service in the Spanish-American War; in 1903, they became the official band of the 12th Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, marching for the inaugurations of Taft and Teddy Roosevelt. The band also served with the Navy during World War I.

One highlight in this era involved a 1915 visit to Williamsport by John Philip Sousa. As the legendary composer and his band were entertained by Repasz, Sousa is reported to have said, “You have what I cannot buy, a loyalty and enthusiasm without which an organization like yours must be mediocre. Your band has risen above that.”

Yet there was hardship over the years, with a disastrous 1915 fire decimating records, instruments, uniforms and hand-written sheet music–though the band nonetheless fulfilled a concert commitment the very next day. Membership and attendance languished in the 1940s, but roared back to life under the hand of Earl “Mr. Repasz” Williams, a member for over 65 years.

The group’s many honors include a permanent blue-and-yellow Pennsylvania historical marker beside the Brandon Park bandshell in Williamsport; Repasz had played for that site’s dedication in 1913. In 2003, the ensemble received the Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Historic Community Band Award. Later, they were selected to perform in Erie for the 2017 Conference of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

More recently, the late, great Albert J. Nacinovich retired in 2019, having served as the band’s longest-ever conductor (37 years). After his 2023 passing, Al was honored with a memorial concert at Williamsport Area High School, featuring his favorite concert-band tunes performed by dozens of friends, family and former students–including 50 players from Repasz.

Having rehearsed in a variety of spaces over its long history, the all-volunteer ensemble currently practices in Montgomery, with a roster of more than 80 musicians; they are now under the baton of Conductor Jeff Dent, Associate Conductor Jessica Lewis and Assistant Conductor Theo Lentz.

Each summer, Repasz plays a robust slate of shows at parks, nursing homes and various public observances; of course, there are also regular spring and winter concerts in Williamsport. All of these performances conclude with the group’s signature “Repasz Band March,” a 1901 composition which, according to The Instrumentalist magazine, is the second-most-played march in the world (surpassed only by Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”).

In addition, as seen just recently, Repasz faithfully participates in Williamsport’s annual Little League Parade; and each October, the group likewise sponsors the popular Liberty Classic Community Band Festival.

Now in its 14th year, that event has drawn musicians to Williamsport from such far-off places as Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Texas, Missouri and Ontario. This year’s festival, as always, features a weekend of extensive rehearsals, followed by a free public concert at Williamsport Area High School–1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.

“As one of the oldest and most recognized, community bands in the United States, the Repasz Band proudly represents the City of Williamsport, Lycoming County and all of Central Pennsylvania with free community performances throughout the region and numerous national events,” said Dent. “Approaching their 200th year, the band is proud to lead the Williamsport Grand Slam Parade and play ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ to kick off the Little League World Series 2025!”