The history of the Bangor band is rich with triumph, tragedy, burgeoning ranks and precipitous
decline in membership and attendance; yet, throughout the 149 years of its existence, the band
has found the means and the determination not only to survive, but to thrive in the face of wars,
depression, fire, and changing musical tastes. The advent of the 20^th and 21^st centuries has seen
a decline in community or town bands. Indeed, many bands have disappeared from view with
advancing age of members, declining membership, and community apathy to the literature of the
concert band. Yet, the Bangor Band has found the means to continue its legacy as one of the
oldest continuous communities band in the United States. As we approach our 150^th anniversary
we are mindful of those who have proceeded us and the contributions they have made.

In the winter of 1859, the first incarnation of the Bangor Band was formed under the direction
of William Standish. Instruments were obtained from another recently defunct band and a band
was assembled. Billed the Bangor Cornet Band, the group performed in no fewer than sixty
engagements, from cotillions to soirees to parades. Community interest and support quickly
grew and the hand-me-down instruments were soon replaced by brand new ones, thanks to the sponsorship of a local womens’ club.

During the era of the Civil War, the band became a regimental band attached to first the
Second Maine Infantry and later the Fourteenth Maine Regiment. It was in its latter obligation
that the band had the distinction of having been present in February 1865 when Union forces
recaptured Fort Sumter from the confederacy. The band would maintain military connections,
both with active duty engagements and later with the Maine National Guard until the end of WWI.
The band has performed for many dignitaries over the course of its history- from William H Seward,
General George McClellan, Teddy Roosevelt and Howard Taft, to Admiral Peary and Margaret
Chase Smith.

To date, the baton of the Bangor Band has been held by approximately twenty-five conductors. Membership has always been contingent on obtaining the best local musicians available, from
all ages. It was Harvey J. Woods( a conductor of the band in 1897) who saw the importance of
passing the band music tradition on to younger generations by including talented high school
and college students into the band. In his History of the Bangor Band, Adelbert Sprague asserts:

The repertoire of the band has always changed with the needs of the community. At its inception,
marches, quick steps and quadrilles were the order of the day; however a visit to the band’s
music library confirms the presence of classical, operatic, swing, foxtrot, Broadway musical,
movie and popular selections. An all male organization for its first 100 years, the band welcomed
women to its ranks in the 1960’s, also to reflect the social history occurring in the US at this time!

As musical tastes have changed throughout its existence, the band has come to the brink of
extinction on several occasions; yet with the musical vision of its conductors and the can-do
attitude of its membership, the band has never failed to offer a concert season in its history.
While the band originally used the old bandstand at Davenport park in the early years, the
current band of 40 musicians is proud to call the Bass Park gazebo their summer home as
they entertain audiences in the summer shadows of Paul Bunyon. In addition to the busy
summer schedule, the band also active throughout the year, performing on Veteran’s Day,
at the Christmas holidays, and again in the spring.

As we look forward to our future, Adelbert Sprague offered both admonition and advice for
future generations of band members and audiences of the Bangor Band. He states:

Indeed, it is this lifeblood of future generations that will keep the Bangor Band and its legacy alive.
Living history is a rare but precious commodity and the community of Bangor should consider itself fortunate to have such an institution as the Bangor Band.