Hoosick Falls: 143 Years Of Summer Concerts In The Park

submitted by Bill Gaillard
The Hoosick Falls Community band under the direction of Bill Gaillard will begin its summer band concerts in Wood Park on Wednesday, July 6, at 7:30 pm. As with last season, in the event of rain concerts will be held at the Gilchrist skating rink on Griffin Avenue. The audience should bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the program.[private]
The band began as the Van Surdam Military Band offering concerts where the fountain is located at the foot of Parsons Avenue then moving to the Wood Park. The original band stand was located near the police station on the Wilder Avenue side of the park. The current band stand was erected in 1977 by Hugh Harrington and Charles Geier and seats 55 musicians.
The most senior band member has been with the band for 70 years (Walt Dunham) who returns for the summer season from the South.
In 1971 the band became the Hoosick Falls Community Band and rehearses two to three times monthly having returned to HFCS for rehearsals in 2015 where it began practicing in 1971 having been at the Hoosick Falls Fire Station since 2002.
The band performs eight summer concerts, a Christmas Concert, Flag Day and marches in the Memorial Day Parade. This Memorial Day the band combined with the Taconic Pipe Band for a rendition of Amazing Grace. The band receives support from the Village of Hoosick Falls, The Town of Hoosick, Hoosick Federal Credit Union, The Edith Craig Reynolds Trust and the Trust of Harry Weir.
Care of the bandstand has been assisted this season by Jerry McAulliffe and his crew who replaced parts of the railing destroyed by vandalism, and placed new flower boxes and flowers for Memorial Day.
All are invited to a concert of show tunes, marches, overtures and popular selections.[/private]