Repasz Band - 1996

In Memoriam
50-Year Member, Edward G. Murray, Jr. (1955-2005)

It is with great sadness that the members of the Repasz Band note the passing of one of our long-time members, Mr. Edward Murray, on January 10, 2005.  Ed was a dedicated member of the clarinet section from 1955 through the present.  He served two terms as Band President (1966; 2002).  Ed has been missed by the band over the past two years as his illness prevented his regular attendance at rehearsals.

Services will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Maneval's Funeral Home, with a visitation from 11-1 p.m., with burial at Twin Hills cemetery.

It was Ed's wish that memorial donations in his name be made to the Repasz Band*,117 West Hills Drive, Williamsport, PA  17701.

*  a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Repasz Band Receives Prestigious Sousa Award  (2004)
by Joseph W. Smith, III, Sun-Gazette Correspondent

"The prestigious Sudler Scroll Historic Band Award has been awarded to only four American musical ensembles - and Williamsport's Repasz Band is one of them.

Conferred by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Sudler Historic Community Band Award honors bands that show 'particularly high standards of excellence in concert activities' and play 'a leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their communities.'

The award will be presented at the Band's Spring Concert, 3 p.m. Sunday (April 25, 2004) in the Scottish Rite Auditorium; on hand to do the honors will be Warren Wilson of the Allentown Band, a past recipient.  The only other groups to receive the Silver Scroll are the Naperville, Ill., Municipal Band and the Lafayette, Inc. Citizens Band.  Also on hand at the concert will be Williamsport Mayor Mary Wolf.

Chief among the prerequisites is a stipulation that any band applying for the award must demonstrate at least 100 years of existence.  That wasn't a problem for the Repasz group, which will observe its 175th anniversary in 2006.

Dating back to 1831, the Band played at Appomattox when Lee surrendered to Grant in 1965; the Band also played at the 1897 dedication of Grant's Tomb in New York City, and again when the memorial was rededicated in 1997.

The Repasz roster currently boasts a record number 95 members, ranging in age from 12 to 87.  At least a quarter of these have seen 25 or more years of service in the Band.

Under the baton of Albert J. Nacinovich - now in his 31st year as conductor - the group currently plays approximately 20 free concerts each year.

In order to qualify for the award, the Band submitted a CD of its repertoire, plus a scrapbook of concert programs, news clippings, photos and letters of recommendation from other band directors and local citizens.

Totaling well over 300 pages, this impressive document includes materials dating back to 1899.  In its congratulatory letter, the Silver Scroll Committee said the Band's printed materials 'were among some of the very best ever submitted.' "

Repasz Band Featured in PBS Documentary  (2003)

The WPSX-TV production entitled "HOMETOWN STORIES:  WILLIAMSPORT" has been broadcast several times during 2003 and 2004.

"The people of Williamsport really opened up their attics for  us" said producer/director Patrick Mansell.  "From Taber Museum, to Little League and the Original League, to private collections, folks in the Williamsport community were very helpful.  It's a community with a fascinating history and we were very honored to be able to tell a few of the grand stories.  Williamsport's own bit of living history, the "Repasz Band" - a continuous tradition since 19831 - was one of five significant historical "events" featured in this award-winning documentary.

If you've ever driven down "Millionaires' Row," gone for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or hit a home run on the first Little League field in the world, you have probably experienced Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  Hidden behind the mid-sized stature of this blue-collar Pennsylvania town lies a deep and rich cultural history that involves some of the most fascinating and culturally significant stories ever told.  Learn about the lilac bush that - in some strange way - inspired Carl Stotz to organize the world's first Little League baseball team.  Next, learn about the German-born immigrant artist who lived in Williamsport whose work once hung in the White House.  Similarly, learn the story of Peter Herdic, the eccentric millionaire who built a 400 room hotel in Williamsport - during the height of the Civil War - and then invented a new type of horse drawn carriage to transport guests to and from his elaborate hotel.  Learn how Herdic, the wealthy creator of Williamsport's "Millionaire's Row" actually died penniless, unable to afford a headstone for his own grave.  These stories and more [ed. a segment on the Lamade family and their Grit newspaper legacy was included in the documentary but not televised] will be featured on Hometown Stories:  Williamsport, so be sure to tune in."  (WPSX Press Release, July 25, 2003

Summer 2001 Highlights . . . 

• a visit by descendants of Daniel Repasz - Ernie and Morris Repass (see details below)

• a spectacular, crowd-pleasing performance on July 17, 2001 with the Tarnished Six, a top-notch Dixieland Jazz Band from State College, PA

Great-great-grandnephews of our namesake,
  Daniel Repasz, joined us in concert

at  Muncy Valley Hospital
Tuesday, July 31, 2001

&

at Kramm's Nursing Home (Milton)
Wednesday, August 1, 2001