About the Band
| Leadership | History |
Band Leadership
Conductor & Musical Director: William Weikert
William Weikert has been the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas Music Director and Conductor since 1985. Mr. Weikert holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Ithaca College School of Music, where he studied tuba and conducting with Walter Beeler.
Mr. Weikert taught in the Maryvale School System from 1967 to 2000, where his high school wind ensemble had a 6A rating for 15 consecutive years at New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) competition festivals. From 1981-1985 he served as President of the Board of Directors for the Erie County Music Educators Association. He also served as the Western New York Zone Representative for NYSSMA from 1985-1988.
In 1996, Mr. Weikert received the New York State Band Directors Association "Outstanding Band Director" award as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic/Erie County Music Educators "Outstanding Music Educator" award. While he has been with the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, they have won a Gold Medal in International Competition in Sydney, Australia and 12 American Legion National Championships.
Band Officers & Staff
The band officers and support staff for 2006/2007 are:
- President & Business Manager: David Abrahamian
- Vice President: Dale Voelker
- Treasurer: Richard Sowinski
- Secretary: Laurie Koury
- Personnel Manager: Jim Scott
- Board of Directors: Ken Nagel, Fred Lenz, Karl Kroetsch, Sheryl Rohr
- Equipment Manager: Gretchen Scott
- Drum Major: Dale Voelker
- Librarians: Harold Moll, Lynn Abrahamian, Louis Scott, Peter Fogle
- Fundraising Managers: Karen Rybak, Kelli Scott
Band History
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| The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, circa 1930 |
The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas was originally organized in 1929 by a group of American Legion members from Post 264. These original members ran numerous fundraising activities, then eventually purchased required band instruments from McClellan Music Company of Buffalo, NY. By the mid 1930's, the Post 264 "Sons of the Legion" Band was winning State competitions year after year. Following a break during World War II, the Band expanded due to the eligibility of returning veterans. In 1947, the Band won its first American Legion State Band Championship in Niagara Falls, and in 1949 the Band entered the National American Legion Band Competition in Philadelphia, winning 4th place.
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| The Band on parade in Chicago, 1939 |
In 1968, after almost two decades away from competition, the Band entered and won 1st place in the Canadian National Exhibition, then repeated that feat for the next three years. Finally, 23 years after entering its first National American Legion Band Competition, the Band went to the 1972 National Competition in Chicago and won 1st place.
Prior to 1974, the Band had only admitted men as "official" band members; women were strictly limited to support roles. In 1974 women were officially admitted as Band members. With this new influx of talent, the Band repeated as Canadian National Exhibition champions in 1974, 1977, and 1978.
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| The Band, 1959 |
After a six-year absence from competition, the Band attended the 1986 National American Legion Band Competition in Cincinnati and again won the National Championship title. Since then, the Band has won 12 more National Championship titles. In 1992 the Band traveled to Australia to compete in the International Music Festival at the famed Sydney Opera House, winning a gold medal.
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| The Band performing in Carnegie Hall, NYC, 2004 |
2004 was the 75th anniversary of the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas. The year started with a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City (drawing three standing ovations) and finished with another National Championship title.
The Band performed at the Chautauqua Performing Arts Institute this summer as well as at many local town parks, and continues with fall/winter concerts at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda and the Palace Theatre in Lockport. A performance at the Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown is scheduled for March of 2007.