In 1875, George F. Patton published “A Practical Guide to the Arrangement of Band Music” that includes this thought:
“When we see a town with flourishing enterprises, such as newspapers, schools, libraries, picture galleries, literary and scientific societies, concert halls, theaters, and brass bands, we need not be told that it is the dwelling place of intelligent and cultivated people.”
The historic town of Gettysburg has been home to the Gettysburg Brass Band Festival since 1998.
In 2023, some 4,000 listeners attended the event to hear over 650 musicians perform and enjoy the glorious sound of brass bands, community bands, jazz groups, and the unique Taps Tribute on the grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park.
The 2024 schedule has now been set. Unless otherwise noted (*), all events are on the Main Stage on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary.15 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg PA 17325
Community Band Night is June 5 as we welcome the Adams County Community Band and The Generations Big Band (formerly Gettysburg Big Band).
June 6 starts with the Tuba Open golf benefit held at the beautiful Carroll Valley Golf Course. An evening benefit dinner and concert, Jazz al Fresco, will take place on the seminary mainstage featuring the Darden Purcell Jazz Group from the Washington, DC area.
Bands in the Borough is on the evening of June 7 in downtown Gettysburg. Ben Jones Brass performs on Dobbin House patio, the Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps will be at the Gettysburg Heritage Center, Three Fathoms Jazz brings its unique brand of traditional jazz to the Lincoln Square Arts Oasis Stage, and the Antebellum Marine Band will be featured next to Mr. G’s Ice Cream Parlor on Baltimore Street.
Two days of brass music begins at noon on June 8 and 9. The Benfield, Spires and Rockville Brass Bands from Maryland, Imperial Brass, Princeton Brass Band and Atlantic Brass Band from New Jersey, Virginia’s Cathedral Brass, Brass Band of Northern Virginia and The Wise Guys from the University of Virginia, Ohio’s Dublin Silvern Band, the Chesapeake Brass Band from Delaware, the Syracuse University(NY) Brass Ensemble and Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Brass Band and the Pennview Brass Band perform on the Main Stage at the United Lutheran Seminary. Saturday’s schedule concludes with the moving Taps Tribute at historic sites on the Gettysburg battlefield at sundown.
Complete schedule:
Wed., June 5 Community Bands Night
6:30 p.m. Adams County Community Band
7:30 p.m. The Generations Big Band
Thurs., June 6
8 am Tuba Open benefit golf tournament, Carroll Valley GC *
7 p.m. Jazz Al Fresco benefit concert: Darden Purcell Group
Fri., June 7 – Bands In The Borough
6-8 p.m. Gettysburg Brass, Steinwehr Ave., Dobbin House Patio *
7 p.m. Lancers, Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg Heritage Center *
7-9 p.m. Three Fathoms Jazz, Lincoln Square Arts Oasis Stage *
8 p.m. Antebellum Marine Band, Mr. Gs, Baltimore St. *
Sat., June 8 – Main Stage Performances
12 noon Benfield Brass Band, MD
1 p.m. Chesapeake Brass Band, DE
2 p.m. Dublin Silver Band, Dublin, OH
3 p.m. The Wise Guys, University of VA, Wise, VA
4 p.m. Atlantic Brass Band, NJ
5 p.m. Syracuse University Brass Ensemble, NY
6 p.m. Rockville Brass Band, MD
7 p.m. Imperial Brass, NJ
Sunday, June 9: Special Events and Main Stage Performances
Noon–8 p.m. International Knitting Day, Gettysburg Knitters *
8:30 p.m. “Taps” Tribute @ historic sites *
12 noon. Spires Brass Band, MD
1 p.m. Penn View Brass Band, Norristown, PA
2 p.m. Princeton Brass Band, Princeton, NJ
3 p.m. Cathedral Brass, VA
4 p.m. Allegheny Brass Band, Pittsburgh, PA
5 p.m. Brass Band of Northern Virginia, Arlington, VA