The present band had very modest beginnings. Chip Farnham, at Brewer (ME) High School, wanted a "parents' band" so that parents would practice with their children (Chip's students) at home. Jan Cox was asked to perform a Christmas concert with them and remained with the group.
In Chip's absence, Jan was often asked to take over as conductor. Soon after Chip moved on to the university, the band evolved; developing a different focus.
For many years, the band gave monthly concerts in area nursing homes. The band was recognized as a genuine musical organization with our first participation in an R.B. Hall festival hosted by the Bangor Band. Since then, the Brewer Hometown Band has twice hosted that festival and will do so once again in June, 2004.
The biggest, and perhaps proudest, band event to date is the 2000 trip to Washington, DC, as representatives of the State of Maine. What a thrill to play on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial! The band also performed in several other DC venues.
Brewer Hometown Band members are drawn from a wide area and span many age levels and experiences. We are heartily supported by the Brewer Parks & Recreation Department which provides practice space and music storage.
In 2004, we will celebrate our 25th season as an organized band under the direction of Jan Cox. Records indicate that a community band was active in Brewer during the early 1900s, under the direction of Maynard Strout. Other references show evidence of an active band in the 1930s, but there were many years when the citizens of Brewer did not hear the strains of their favorite marches being played by a local band.
The band performs an annual Spring Gala, has a regular outdoor concert series each summer, provides music for several civic events such as Orrington Olde Home Days and other parades, clowns around for a Halloween concert, and ends the year with a holiday spectacular.
We are excited and enthusiastic about the future plans for an outdoor playing facility on the new Brewer waterfront along the Penobscot river. 
More pictures and text to come. Check back soon. |
