Annville’s Washington Band to hold open house touting capital campaign’s success

The Washington Band of Annville will open the doors of its rehearsal hall to the community to acknowledge local support of the band’s recent capital campaign.

Community members are welcome to come to the band hall at 35 N. Lancaster St., Annville, on Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 3 p.m.

The band raised $31,500 in its capital campaign last year, exceeding the fundraising goal of $20,000.

Funds from the campaign were used for much-needed repairs in the rehearsal hall, which is over 90 years old. Through community support, the band was able to make significant repairs to the roof, concrete, electric, paving and more.

Additionally, using grant money from the Francis J. Dixon Foundation, the band has installed state-of-the-art sound panels in the rehearsal room.

Band members invite the public to come see how their donations have helped improve the historic building, “ensuring a legacy of music for many years to come,” a release said. The open house is free to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

The Washington Band of Annville was founded on Aug. 2, 1856, by nine men with cornets who rehearsed in a tavern at the west end of town known as the Washington House. Today, the band consists of more than 50 volunteer musicians ranging from high school students to seasoned players in their 80s.