Wood Park Summer Band Concerts Begin July 1

by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Falls Community Band, under the direction of Bill Gaillard, will begin its 136th series of summer band concerts in Wood Park on Wednesday, July 1, at 7:30 pm.
According to Gaillard, the summer band concerts go back to at least 1878 when theVan Surdam Band, as it was then known, began the concerts. At one time the concerts began at 8 pm, but with the growth of trees and the onset of darkness, the concerts now begin earlier. Years ago the band rehearsed at the armory prior to the concerts, but with the remodeling of the Armory that ceased to be the case. When the band was renamed in 1971, rehearsals were held at HFCS. In 2001 rehearsals were held in the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad building. Now they are held twice a month in the new Hoosick Falls Firehouse.
Bill Gaillard started with the band in 1965, under the managership of Fred Quackenbush who was 90 years of age at the time. Fred played bass drum and cymbals in the style of Sousa whereby the right hand played the bass drum and the left held one cymbal, which was crashed against the other which was mounted on the bass drum. At that time Fred had been with the band for 72 years.
The band was known by many names. It was begun by Henderson S. Van Surdam who led it until 1938. Henderson taught Cortland Cottrell how to play trumpet. “Cort” became manager of the band in 1972 when it was renamed the Hoosick Falls Community Band. He continued to manage it for many years.
In addition to the summer series, the band has been doing a Christmas Concert for 26 years. The band recently added the Memorial Day parade and Flag Day ceremony to its community work.
The band is comprised of many graduates of Hoosick Falls Central School as well as students still in school. Some members come from Bennington, VT, and the surrounding area. One such member is Walt Dunham who has played with the band for over 60 years. All members are accomplished musicians and perform from a repertoire of over 280 selections including marches, pop tunes of all eras, overtures and show medleys.
At each concert in the park the audience will find various food sales available and a 50/50 raffle which has become a recent tradition. All are cordially invited to attend these concerts supported by the Village of Hoosick Falls, the Town of Hoosick and the Hoosick Federal Credit Union. Much financial assistance is provided by the Harry Weir and Rev. Edith Craig Reynolds Trusts. These funds are used to provide music, folders and various percussion instruments.
The 7:30 pm concert schedule for this summer is Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 and August 5, 12, 19 and 26. It is suggested that the audience bring a chair or blanket to sit on to enjoy these Concerts in the Park. Rain will cancel the performance.