The Municipal Band Of Charlottesville

An Endangered Tradition.

- Hay Hardy

In 1922, two residents of Charlottesville, Virginia, decided to organize a band with some 30 other fellow musicians. They obtained sponsorship from the city of Charlottesville and named it the Municipal Band of Charlottesville. Today, the band has about 90 members and is one of the oldest continuously operating amateur community bands in the country, providing free concerts to the community for more than 94 years. In April of 2016, the city of Charlottesville decided to withdraw its financial support, threatening the band’s existence. Members and organizations of the community, showing their appreciation for the band, provided support, fully funding the band through 2017. However, the future is uncertain, and support is needed to continue this tradition.

The band musicians are all volunteers. The 90 men and women volunteer a total of 12,000 hours of their time each year for rehearsals and concerts. They are from all ages and all walks of life. Among its members are architects, secretaries, bankers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, librarians, business people, homemakers, construction workers, accountants, musicians, students and retirees, all there because of their love of music. Student musicians in the eighth grade or higher are admitted on the recommendation and sponsorship of their music instructors.