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 now been home to the Gettysburg Brass Band Festival since 1998. Some 4,000 listeners from the Mid-Atlantic States attend the event annually to enjoy the glorious sound of brass bands, community bands, jazz groups, and the unique Taps Tribute on the Gettysburg National Military Park with over 500 musicians performing.
Community Band Night is June 10 as we welcome the Adams County Community Band, the Ringold Band from Reading, PA and Gettysburg’s own Generations Big Band. June 11 starts with the Tuba Open Golf Benefit at the beautiful Carroll Golf Course. Jazz al Fresco, an evening benefit dinner and concert featuring the Hotel Paradise Jazz Orchestra will take place at the United Lutheran Seminary Main Stage.
Bands in the Borough is on the evening of June 12 in downtown Gettysburg. Ben Jones Brass performs on Dobbin House patio, the All-Star Brass and Percussion and Hanover Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps will be at the Gettysburg Heritage Center, Three Fathoms 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 outstanding brass band music are on tap on June 13 and 14. Performing on the Pavilion Stage at the United Lutheran Seminary will be Benfield, Spires, and Rockville Brass Bands from Maryland, Imperial Brass, Princeton Brass Band, and Atlantic Brass Band from New Jersey, the innovative West Philadelphia Orchestra, Brass Band of Northern Virginia, Brass Band of Columbus the All Star Brass and Percussion from Ohio and the Carlisle Brass Band from Pennsylvania. Saturday’s schedule concludes with the moving Taps Tribute at historic sites on the Gettysburg battlefield at sundown on Saturday.
The 2026 Gettysburg Brass Band Festival is supported by individual and business donations and in part by the Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment and the Adams County Arts Council’s Star Grant Program which is funded by the Adams County Commissioners and Borough of Gettysburg. For more information www.gettysburgbrassbandfestival.com