History of the Band
The City of Hartford has had a band ever since 1880 when records indicate
that there was a Hook & Ladder Fire Department Band. In 1918 there
was the Liberty Band. In 1924, the American Legion Band was established
under John Freeman. The band's name was changed to Hartford City Band,
Inc. in 1953. Since that time we have enjoyed several conductors
and a multitude of members who come to play their instruments for the
joy of music.
Since 1924, the conductors of the band have been:
- John Freeman (1924-1937)
- Theodore Steinmetz (1937-1942)
- Abraham Feutz (1942-1953)
- Fred Aliota (1953-1978)
- Ken Johnson (1978-1979)
- Carol Thimm Bressel (1979-1985)
- Jerry Becker (1986)
- Howard Wetzel (1987-2001)
- Howard Wetzel & Dave Vandermeuse (2001-Present)
Past historial events of interest:
August 6th, 2008: The Hartford City Band honored the memory of an influential member of the both the band and the Hartford community with the premiere of a tribute song, "Wilbert's Pasture", written by Glen Tuomaala and composed especially for Wilbert P. Roemer (1923-2007). Wilbert's legacy lives on in both his farm and in the song. Visit http://www.wilbertspasture.com for more information on this composition and to download a free copy of the score. Listen to the Introduction and a Performance by the Hartford City Band.