Franklin Band turns 155

The Franklin Band, the oldest community band in New Jersey, celebrated the 155th anniversary of the band’s creation at its summer concert July 27.

Aside from a few years during the Great Depression and World War I, the band has operated almost continuously since its conception in 1870.

The band performs in parades and concerts, with several members participating in both.

It has performed in the Memorial Day Parade in collaboration with the Franklin American Legion for more than 100 years and has appeared at the New Jersey State Fair for more than 50 years.

The band participates in several other community events throughout the year, including festivals, holiday parades and memorial services.

It also hosts two concerts a year, one in the spring and one during the holidays.

Families play together

For several members, the Franklin Band is a family affair.

Band president Jim Bradley and his wife, Holly, the treasurer, are both members.

She has been a member since 1968, when she was 10 years old. Her father was an active member of band, moving the family to Franklin in order to join the band community.

Since then, she has seen several relationships bloom among band members and she noted that members appreciate the second family that they find in the band.

The band’s social media manager, Robert Ernst, whose wife also is a member, shared pride in “the variety of music that the Franklin Band continues to play, not just in genre but also in difficulty to keep our musicianship strong.”

In their dedication to their work, band members found online alternatives to rehearse and record a virtual concert during the pandemic.

Today, the band rehearses once a week to engage with one another and with the music.

All volunteers

Made up entirely of volunteers, the band boasts 40 to 45 members ranging in age from 13 to 84.

In experience, they range from beginners to professionals.

Many of the members live in Sussex County. However, several hail from other areas of New Jersey, New York state and Pennsylvania.

No audition is required. Those interested are welcome to attend rehearsals from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

During the school year, rehearsals are in the Franklin School auditorium. In the summer, they are at the Franklin American Legion.