In Concert:
Community Music Groups Working Together
A Newsletter of Southwestern Pennsylvania Band Partners
Summer 2006
Volume 2 Issue 3 
 Printable Version in PDF Format
Inside This Issue: 
TriCounty Band | Directions to TriCounty Band | South Hills Community Concert Band | Band Directory Additions | Combined Concert Calendar  | Band Websites | Contact US

Tri County Band
Information provided by John McCreight, modified by Sarah McElfresh

Tri-County Band, also known by some as a Brigadoon Band started as a family event in the early 1900s.  It is a unique band that meets once a year where musicians from all over are welcome to play the music that is in the folders and put on a concert for all those who have come to listen. The concert typically lasts about 2 hours - but it depends on the chops of the players involved.  Afterwards, everyone enjoys a picnic together.  Musicians are primarily from Fayette, Greene, or Washington Counties hence the Tri-County name.  The concert - or jam session for community band musicians - typically occurs the last Sunday in August. This year the concert will take place on Sunday August  27th at  1:30 pm a gazebo near St. Paul's United Methodist Church in the Village of Denbo, Centerville Borough, Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the Monongahela River about four miles south of U.S. Route 40. (See next page for driving directions)

Charles Battaglini, an Italian immigrant who arrived here in the 1890s settled in the community of LaBelle in Fayette County, near the Monongahela River.  He had a great love of music that he wanted his family to share in.  It is believed that he had no formal music training.  Three of his sons became music teachers:  Emerin, Arnold, and Reynato (known as Ray).   Charles would have summer family picnics, during which his children would play music.  As they developed, Charles would include musician friends from the Mon Valley area and friends of his children.  The children were into adulthood by the 1930s, and the picnic gatherings became popular for attendance by many musicians.  In 1939, the event became a community affair dubbed Tri-County Band,  and from then on once each summer community musicians from the area would gather. 

High school students were brought in, and recognition was given for the school with the most participants.  Also, recognition was given to the oldest and youngest players, those coming the farthest distance.  It was a reunion for many musicians.

 For a number of years the event was linked to the King Coal Festival of Carmichaels, PA (Greene Co), and was held on the concluding weekend of that event at Joyland Park, in Carmichaels.  The number of musicians participating in the event occasionally swelled to more than 200.  Around 20 years ago, Joyland Park was sold for development, and the event was moved from place to place for a number of years.  It was arranged by a small group of elders associated with the VFW Band of Uniontown.  During this time, practically all high school participation fell away.  Participants dwindled to acquaintances of the VFW organizers. 

Guido Battaglini, a grandson of Charles, housed most of the band music that had been acquired over the years -  much of which was purchased by funds collected in hat passing among audiences at Joyland.  When Guido passed away in the 1990s, two footlockers  were donated by a member of the Ricco family of Brownsville to house the music.  The music eventually found its way to  John McCreight who started organizing the event at Denbo in Washington County. 
Directions to Tri County Band
provided by John McCreight

Next to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in the Village of Denbo, Centerville Borough, Washington County

From the west: on Route 40 from the west, after passing through the towns Scenery Hill, Beallsville, and Richeyville (and some distance before Brownsville) look for the Dairy Queen on the south (right) side of the road.  Turn onto the road immediately west of (before) the DQ (Ridge Road) and follow it all the way to the Monongahela River (you will travel several miles down to the river), and you will see Saint Paul's United Methodist Church on your left.

From the east , north or south: seek out Route 43 or Route 88 and turn east at the intersection with Ridge Road at the village of Low Hill.  If coming north on 88, look for the intersection across which the road begins to widen (from 2 to 3 lanes, and then to 4 lanes, becoming Route 43), and simply turn east (right) there, toward the River.  If coming south on Route 43, watch for the divided highway to end and the lanes to taper to 2 (from 3 etc.), and make the turn east (left), toward the River. 

The key to making the turn to Denbo is the number of lanes in Route 88.  The number south of the turn intersection is two, and immediately north of the turn intersection the number is three (soon becoming the full four lanes of Route 43 a short distance north).
South Hills Community Concert Band
Information provided by George Shuff

The South Hills Community Concert Band has been playing music in the South Hills off and on since 1939. They took some breaks due to  war, but have been playing continuously since September of 1970.  It was started in Dormont when a young music teacher,  Jack Rumbarger  (who later became band director at Brentwood High School), said the community needed a band - and they were born.  The first years the band rehearsed in the boiler room at the old Dormont High School.  These days, they consist of approximately 40 musicians who play a diversified program for all ages.  From September to June, the band plays around 20 concerts a year in primarily  Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Churches with a few concerts in the park as well.

The Band has been under the baton of Jack Rumbarger (1939-late 1970s).  Robert L Arthur directed through the 80s. Then Jack Anderson  who now works with the University of Pittsburgh Bands.  They are now we are under the baton of Ken Slish who is a retired music director from Stowe Rocks.  Janet Branch  recently joined them as an Associate Director.

For more information about the South Hills Community Concert Band, contact Concert Manager George Shuff at 412-833-1330.
Southwestern PA Community Bands (As of June 29, 2006)
Additions from last newsletter

Westmoreland Symphonic Winds
http://www.wswinds.org
Kathleen Campbell, Music Director & Conductor
Aimee (Cheers) McCullen, Manager
724-838-4280
mccullen@setonhill.edu
Concert band in residence at Seton Hill  Univ.

send email to  newsletter@swpabandpartners.pghfree.net
Combined Calendar (As of June 29, 2006 for Summer 2006)
For the updates and the entire calendar visit the online calendar

July 2006:

Sat, 1
 7pm
 East Winds Symphonic Band
 Kennywood
Sun, 2
 1:30pm
 Allegheny Brass Band Christ Church at Grove Farm, Sewickley
Sun, 2
 7pm
 Kiski Valley Community Band Kennywood
Sun, 2
 7pm
 Scottdale Concert Band
 The Diamond in Ligonier
Sun, 2
 10am
 Somerset County Concert Band God & Country Service, Somerset Alliance Church
Sun, 2
 7pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Meyersdale fourth of July celebration
Tue, 4
Pine Creek Community Band
 Hampton Community Days and 4th of July Celebration
Sun, 9
Jeannette Community Band Italian Festival @ Ascension Church, Jeannette
Sun, 9
 7pm
 Kiski Valley Community Band The Diamond in Ligonier
Tue, 11
 7pm
 Armstrong Concert Band
 West Kittanning Firehall
Thu, 13
 8pm
 The Musicians Concert Band Miller Auditorium, Slippery Rock University
Thu, 13
 7pm
 Delmont Concert Band
 Redstone, North Huntingdon
Sun, 16 3pm East Winds Symphonic Band Twin Lakes Park, Westmoreland County
Sun, 16
 3:30pm
 Community Band South Bethel Park Community Center Tower Concert
Sun, 16
 7pm
 Kiski Valley Community Band Leechburg Gilpin Park
Sun, 16
 1pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Somerfest, Laurel Arts
Mon, 17
 6:30pm
 Kittanning Firemen's Band Apollo Moonlanding Concert, Owen's Grove
Tue, 18
 7pm
 Kiski Valley Community Band Apollo Moonlanding Celebration, Owen's Grove
Fri, 21
 7pm
 Blairsville Community Concert Band Marion Center Park
Sun, 23
 6:30pm
 Scottdale Concert Band Scottdale Gazebo
Sun, 23
 7pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Hooversville Historical Society Concert
Tue, 25
 7pm
 Armstrong Concert Band Crooked Creek Lake Park, Ford City
Thu, 27
 8pm
 The Musicians Concert Band Miller Auditorium, Slippery Rock University
Thu, 27
Jeannette Community Band Jeannette Community Days
Thu, 27
 7pm
 Delmont Concert Band Redstone, GBG
Sat, 29
 7pm
 Armstrong Concert Band Ford Cliff Boro Building
Sun, 30
 7pm
 Allegheny Brass Band The Diamond in Ligonier
Sun, 30
Blairsville Community Concert Band St. Simon & Jude Bazaar

August 2006:

Wed, 2 5:30pm Kittanning Firemen's Band Kittanning Folk Festival Concert, Kittanning YMCA
Sat, 5
 8pm
 Allegheny Brass Band St. Alexis Church Festival, Wexford
Sat, 5
 7pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Shanksville Community Picnic
Sun, 6
 7pm
 East Winds Symphonic Band The Diamond in Ligonier
Sun, 6
 3:30pm
 Allegheny Brass Band Bethel Park Community Center
Sun, 6
 7pm
 Delmont Concert Band Concordia, Sarver
Thu, 10
 8pm
 The Musicians Concert Band Miller Auditorium, Slippery Rock University
Sat, 12
Pine Creek Community Band
 Etna Community Days
Sun, 13
 10:30am
 East Winds Symphonic Band Bach, Beethoven, & Brunch, Mellon Park, Pittsburgh
Sun, 13
 7pm
 Community Band South The Diamond in Ligonier
Sun, 13
 1pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Central City Heritage Festival
Sat, 19
 11:30 am
 Blairsville Community Concert Band Blairsville Diamond Days Fair
Sat, 19
 7pm
 Somerset County Concert Band Hidden Valley Homeowners Ice Cream Social
Sun, 20
 7pm
 Delmont Concert Band
 The Diamond in Ligonier
Sun, 20
 TBA
 Scottdale Concert Band Loucks Park, Scottdale
Sun, 20
 10 am
 Somerset County Concert Band Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset
Sun, 27
 1:30pm
 Tri County Band
(All musicians welcome to play)
 Next to St. Paul's United Methodist Church  Denbo, Washington County
Sun, 27
 7pm
 Somerset County Concert Band
 The Diamond in Ligonier

September 2006:

Sat, 9
 8pm
 Allegheny Brass Band McCandless Township Community Days
Sat, 9
 6:15pm
 Kittanning Firemen's Band West Kittanning Community Days
Sat, 9
Delmont Concert Band
 Delmont Community Days
Sat, 16
 3pm
 Scottdale Concert Band Geyer Theater, Scottdale
Sat, 16
Somerset County Concert Band Hollsopple Community Festival
Sun, 17
 1pm
 Kiski Valley Community Band Freeport
Sun, 24
Somerset County Concert Band Whiskey Rebellion, Berlin

Contacting Us:

Southwestern Pennsylvania Band Partners is dedicated to helping community music groups in the southwestern Pennsylvania Region. 
Please visit us online at the address below to learn more or become involved.
    http://swpabandpartners.pghfree.net
Regional Bands with websites (for updated list vist the links page)

Aeolian Winds http://www.aeolianwinds.com/
Allegheny Brass Band http://www.alleghenybrassband.com/
Armstrong Concert Band http://www.geocities.com/armconband
Blairsville Community Concert Band http://www.bccband.com/
Butler County Symphony
 http://www.butlerarts.org/symphony/
Community Band South http://cbs.pghfree.net/
East Winds Symphonic Bandhttp://www.ewsb.org/
Edgewood Symphony http://www.edgewoodsymphony.org
Harrisville Community Band http://www.harrisvilleband.com/
Jeannette Community Band http://www.jcbweb.com/
Kiski Valley Community Band http://www.kvcb.net
Kittanning Firemen's Band http://www.kfband.com/
Musicians Concert Band http://www.tmcband.com/default.htm
North Pittsburgh Philharmonic http://www.northpghphilharmonic.org/
North Suburban Symphonic Band http://www.nssband.org/
Ohio Valley Community Band http://www.geocities.com/ovcband
Pine Creek Community Band http://www.pinecreekband.com/
Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra http://www.artsnet.org/pco/
Resurrection Band http://www.boro.zelienople.pa.us/band.htm
Scottdale Concert Band http://www.scottdaleband.com/
Somerset County Community Band
 http://www.somersetcounty.com/band
Washington Symphonic Orchestra http://www.washsym.org/
West Hills Symphonic Band http://www.whsb.org/
Westmoreland Symphonic Winds http://www.wswinds.org/

Contributing to the newsletter
Everyone is welcome to contribute an article to the newsletter.  The topic is up to you—something you think your fellow musicians would be interested in. Just email your article to:
newsletter@swpabandpartners.pghfree.net

For additions to the website email:
info@swpabandpartners.pghfree.net
In the next newsletter
In our next newsletter due out in early July you will find:
Editors
Sarah McElfresh,  East Winds Symphonic Band
Scott McElfresh, East Winds Symphonic Band
Kathy Wikowski, Allegheny Brass Band,  North Suburban Symphonic Band
June 29, 2006