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Tributes

To the Repasz Band
        1831 - 1931

"You who have heard on the distant air
A bugle's voice and wondered there,
Catch the first notes from the ancient hall
That down the length of a century fall.

Faint but clear as the notes of a fife,
Away back there in 'Thirty-one;
J. L. Mussina gave them life - - -
The martial tunes were then begun.

That cheered the boys through the Civil War,
And helped to win the fuss with Spain,
Then in the midst of the World's distress
They served to defend the flag again.

The sound of the music nearer grows - - -
Hear the pulsing throb of the eager drum!
Up to the curbstones the massed crowd flows
As swinging down the years they come!

Dan Repasz hearkens.  His faith inspired,
And we hear him cheer with us today - - -
This is the glory his name has sired - - -
The oldest, the best in the U. S. A.!"
 Clayton Spicer1

Congratulations to the
Repasz Band
on its 100th Anniversary
from the City of Williamsport
THAT AN organization should be formed for the production of melody alone, one hundred years ago, and should survive all the mutations of time and human change, as men died, or from other causes left the Band, others equally skilled took their place, so that the Repasz Band has continued to exist, and grow in character and reputation both at home and abroad is little less than a miracle.  To attempt by human language to characterize such an organization as an achievement is so absolutely impossible, that the best anyone can do is to call the attention of all men to the band, and to listen to the entrancing melody that floats on the air and all will appreciate the ability, time and perseverance that has been perfected in this realm of human endeavor.  Williamsport deems it high privilege to join the Repasz Band in this deserved honor that makes its one hundredth anniversary, and to congratulate our people that we have among us so goodly a company of men so devoted to a great musical organization, like our Band.
Herbert T. Ames, Mayor1

1 Repasz Band's 100th Anniversary Programme (1931)

 

Quoted below are editorials and press releases from the Band's official records (Repasz Band booklet, Grit Publishing, c. 1915).

From an article "The Repasz, The Official Band at Erie," notes that "the most important engagement the Repasz Band ever filled was when it played for a week at Erie, PA, during the Perry centennial in July 1913. . . .  The musical organization of widest note and greatest ability was, of course, the famous Marine Band, of Washington, D.C., a body of highly trained players in the service of the Federal government, whose only business it is to practice incessantly, to play daily, and to attain to the highest possible pinnacle of excellence.  Second only to the Marine Band was the Repasz, in the unanimous estimation of the Erie press and musical profession, and there was free expression of wonder that a band not subsidized or on a basis of high salaries, should attain to the standard of the Repasz.  From the many appreciative notices that appear in the Erie press, the following are reproduced here, as fairly representative of all:

  • It has been many a day since Erie has listened to as fine a concert as was given by the Repasz Band.
  • The concert given by the Repasz Band, at the park last evening, was one of the finest concerts that has ever been heard in Erie.  It is a splendid musical organization.
  • The Repasz - it's a great band." - Erie (PA) Times