| The 15th article in a series of tributes to Lycoming County
History makers, published in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, was entitled
"Daniel Repasz: A Musical Giant." This article by Lou Hunsinger,
Jr., published with assistance from the Lycoming County Historical Society and Museum,
notes that "America's oldest band in continuous existence bears his name, but Daniel
Repasz didn't join until nine years after it was formed. Historian Mary Russell
researches Repasz in a Lycoming County Historical Society Journal article,
"Williamsport's Musical Heritage," and so does Jeffrey Dugan in his master's
thesis, "The Bands of Williamsport." Dugan is director of the Imperial
Teteque Band, and cites from the Repasz Band's 100th Anniversary Programme in 1931.
Repasz was born in Clinton Township, Lycoming County, on April 13, 1813. He later
lived in Muncy, became a tailor by trade and took up the violin. He moved to
Williamsport in 1838 to teach music and dancing. He took additional lessons from A.
K. Mabie, the director of the Williamsport Band. That musical body later would be
renamed for Repasz.
The Williamsport Band was founded in 1831 by Jacob L. Mussina, who was its leader
during the first years. The initial instrumentation of the band consisted of flutes,
clarinets, piccolos, and a French horn played by C. Lawrence, a former soldier under
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Repasz joined the band in 1840, probably asked by his musical mentor, director
A. K. Mabie, to do so. The instrument that Repasz played in the band was the
"keyed bugle," a cross between a trumpet and a clarinet.
Repasz became director of the band in 1856. He introduced new and improved
instruments, as well as innovative musical arrangements. Under his baton, the band
gained prominence and toured extensively in the Northeast. Its first appearance on a
national occasion was when it accompanied the Pennsylvania delegation to the 1844
convention in Baltimore which nominated Henry Clay for President of the United
States. Since then it attended several other national political conventions and
inagurations, always acquitting itself with marked credit and receiving very flattering
notices from the press of the country and its most eminent bandsmen.3
As an expression of esteem and appreciation for all of Repasz's contributions, the
members of the band voted in 1859 to rename the "Williamsport Band" the
"Repasz Band."1,3
In the words of William Volkmar, "Repasz came more and more to the front as the
man whose accomplished leadership the organization was indebted for its progress."2,3
When regional strife exploded into Civil War in 1861, the Repasz Band enlisted as a body. That was not
uncommon in those days, as most military bands actually were civilian bands that enlisted
as a group. Members spent most of the war attached to the 8th Pennsylvania
Cavalry. The band "dueled" with a Confederate band at Gen. Robert E.
Lee's surrender at Appomattox. A Confederate band would play
"Dixie." The Repasz Band would counter with "Battle Cry of
Freedom." The Confederate band would reply with "Bonnie Blue Flag"
and the Repasz Band volleyed with the "Star Spangled Banner."
Repasz continued his active involvement with the band until 1885, when he was forced by
old age to stop playing his instrument. However, he kept going to the band's
rehearsals and still would dispense musical advice.
During the last years of his life, he was confined to his bed after he fell several
times and broke his leg. Three days before Repasz died, he requested his old violin
so he could "tune it one more time." It was brought out, but he was too
weak to hold it. It was put at his side and he gazed at it longingly.
Repasz died November 21, 1891 at the age of 78. In Russell's words, "The
Sousa of his day was laid to rest as the Fisk Military Band, attending the funeral as a
body, complied with the old musician's last wish and played his favorite dirge, 'Flee as a
bird.' "
The band named for Repasz and known as "The Granddaddy of American Bands"
flourishes today after 170 years.
If you go by Williamsport's City Hall on a Tuesday night, you can hear the music of
some patriotic air spilling from the windows as the band practices.
Daniel Repasz would be very pleased."
Conductors |
