Manchester Civic Band 50th birthday party concert.

Press Release

NORTH MANCHESTER — In 1972, Harold and Mary Louise Leckrone and their daughter, Pat Egolf, formed a band to play for the centennial celebration of the covered bridge in North Manchester.

It seems only fitting to celebrate the 50th year of the Manchester Civic Band with a birthday party concert at Ogan’s Landing close to the 150-year-old covered bridge.

The concert will start at 9 a.m. Saturday,  July 16, and will conclude with a birthday party. Current and former members of the band are invited to bring a chair and their instrument to join the concert. Everyone present at the end of the concert is invited to join in the party with cake and punch.

Bring a chair or blanket to sit and listen to the concert or feel free to stroll around and shop at the North Manchester Farmers’ Market while you are listening to the concert.

When Leckrone started the band, he recruited many of his former band students from his days of teaching at many of the local schools including Manchester High. This celebration was the catalyst to forming the Manchester Civic Band.

Many of Leckrone’s former students played with the civic band for years after his passing in 1987. The band continues to provide live music for public events in the greater North Manchester area and also performs three concerts per year for both Peabody and Timbercrest retirement communities.

As is the case with most community or civic bands, the group is made up entirely of volunteers. The Manchester Civic Band welcomes all individuals to join its weekly practices and become members.

There are no membership forms, fees or sworn obligations. The only requirements are an interest in music and proficiency with an instrument. Don’t worry, the word proficient is used in a generous sense. Practices are open to all and are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the band room at Manchester Senior High School, 1102 N. Market St., North Manchester.