Franklin band offers free concert

| 19 May 2014 | 04:52

The Franklin Band offered a free concert consisting of several orchestras at the Wallkill Valley Regional High School on Sunday.

The two-hour show began with a medley of songs including “Summertime” performed by the Oakland-based North Jersey Concert Band, with Michael Roth conducting. Also scheduled for the well-attended afternoon of music was the West Morris Community Concert Band, the Bloomingdale Cornet Band, and The Franklin Band. The Franklin Band performs at various venues ranging from auditoriums to parades where they march.

According to the band's website, the original Franklin Town Band was known as the Franklin Furnace Band and was organized in 1870. It is one of the oldest known community bands in New Jersey. Eighteen of its 28 original members were also members of the Franklin Furnace Fire Department. Over the years, there have been fourth- and fifth-generation members in the band.

One of the oldest pictures of the band shows the members dressed in Civil War uniforms. A partial collection of over 700 trophies is on display at the Franklin Museum.

— Photos by Chris Wyman
For more photos, visit www.advertisernewssouth.com