Mercer Community Band
"Best Free Entertainment on a Friday Night"
Mercer, Pennsylvania


Mercer Community Band
Founding Highlights  1977-2002

1977
Hendley Hoge and Sam Shilling meet with the Mercer Borough Council and Mercer County Commissioners for permission to present free concerts on the square.
Mercer Community Band is formed.

1978
Two Friday nights concerts in June take place.

1979
Ice cream socials are held before each concert.
Three Friday night concerts in June and July take place.

1980
Mercer Boy Scout Troop #83 assists in flag-raising.
Six Friday night concerts take place including a Dixieland band and a jazz band.

1981
Eight Friday night concerts take place.

1982
Five-year anniversary celebration certificate is presented to the band by the mayor.

1983
Mercer Community Band banner purchased through the efforts of the Mercer Music Club.

1984
Mercer Community Band provides free printed programs to concert-goers.

1985
Mercer Area Girl Scouts distribute programs at concerts.

1986
$30,000 fund-raising campaign begins for the construction of a permanent bandstand on the courthouse lawn.
Mercer County Transit Authority brings senior citizens in to the concerts.

1987
Bandstand built by Mike Wester is dedicated on the courthouse lawn.

1988
Black trousers and white T-shirts with community band logo become the  official uniform of the Mercer Community Band.

1989
Big band music and jazz band equipment is donated by the Johnny Martin Big Band of Greenville.

1990
Band scholarship presented to community band high school senior pursuing a career in music.

1991
Black concert folders are donated to the Mercer Community Band by Shirley Beinhardt.
Courthouse bandstand is officially named the "Hendley Hoge Bandstand" By the Mercer County Commissioners.

1992
National registry begins for out-of-state audience members.

1993
Mercer Community Band Staff organized to assist in concert productions. 100th  concert celebration takes place with featured community bands.
Mercer County Historical Society has a display on the "History of Community Bands in Mercer County".
Sam Shilling writes a book on the history of community bands in Mercer County.
Mellon Bank donates a portable white vinyl roof for the bandstand.
Werner Ladders donates an aluminum and metal platform for a percussion extension.
"Home of the Mercer Community Band" is painted by Steve Van Woert on the back of the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce sign.


1994
Fund-raising campaign begins to raise $8, 000 for a state-of-the-art PA system.

1995
New public address system is used for the concerts.
Wooden benches built by Boy Scout Joe Lenzi are placed around the courthouse for conert-goers.
WWIZ broadcasts live during each concert.

1996
Travis Weller appointed Assistant Director.
Conductor's podium and stand donated in memory of Esther Yoder.

1997
Concert series brochures are designed and disseminated throughout
Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mercer Community Band celebrates its 20th  anniversary.
Mercer Community Band records its first compact disc.

1998
Improvements to the bandstand are made including a front brick sidewalk and rear steps.
Steve McKnight of Slippery Rock University is appointed Assistant Student Conductor.

1999
Amanda English of Youngstown State University is appointed Assistant Student Conductor.
Stereo recording equipment is purchased to professionally record each concert.

2000
Doug Butchy of Youngstown State University is appointed Assistant Student Conductor
Mercer Community Band performs July 4th  concert at Shenango  Reservoir as Mercer County celebrates its 200th  anniversary
Members of the Mercer Community band perform with the Mercer County Bicentennial Band. Dr. Hoge is appointed a co-director.
New wooden risers are designed and built by Phil Runninger.

2001
Ken Jewell is appointed the Assistant Director.
Lee Caldwell of Grove City College is appointed Assistant Student Conductor.
Phil Wanchick designs Mercer Community Band Web site:
www.mercomband.homestead.com

2002
Mercer Community Band clebrates its 25th Anniversary
Composer Dr. Michael Martin is commissioned to write a march entitled:
"The Courthouse Square Concert March"
Brent Barnett of the University of Akron is appointed Student Assistant Director.
Silver Anniversary Banquet is held at the Hermitage VFW Banquet Hall
Mercer Community Band performs two additional concerts - Lake Latonka Gazebo Dedication & Buhl Park Concert Series