The LaPorte City
Band was founded in 1879 by Professor Thomas Belcher and is the
oldest band of its type which has been in continuous existence.
In fact, it is one of the oldest city bands in the State of Indiana.
Throughout the years, the instrumentation of the band has changed
dramatically as technology advanced. Many instruments used by
the early members of the City Band, such as the E-flat Alto, are
no longer even manufactured.
At its conception,
the Band performed concerts on the courthouse lawn throughout
the summer. This continued throughout the 1800's and early 1900's,
until the construction and dedication of a bandshell in Fox Park
in June of 1913. The concerts continued at this bandshell until
1976 when the current bandshell, dedicated to then Mayor Dennis
F. Smith was constructed. This is where the Band still performs
today.
The concerts
by the Band throughout the summer are free to the public, provided
by a grant from the City of LaPorte. Approximately ten concerts
are performed from June to early August. In addition, the Band
performs at both the Memorial Day services and the annual Fourth
of July Parade. Each performance throughout the summer season
takes place on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the bandshell
in Fox Park. While there are plenty of park benches available,
most people bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on while enjoying
the music.
If you've never
been to a City Band concert, you're missing out on one of LaPorte's
greatest summer traditions. So check out our schedule, grab some
chairs, pack a picnic and head on over to Fox Park for an evening
of musical entertainment by the one and only, LaPorte City Band.
