Liberty Classic Community band festival slated

Williamsport, Pa. — The 13th annual Liberty Classic band festival, featuring 116 musicians from a dozen states, is set for the weekend of Oct. 18-20 in Williamsport.

As always, the event concludes with a free concert at the Community Arts Center at 1:30 p.m. that Sunday.

Initiated in 2010 under the baton of Col. Arnald Gabriel, the festival this year will be conducted by the distinguished Anthony J. Maiello, who is now retired from teaching and conducting at George Mason University and SUNY-Potsdam's Crane School of Music.

Having hosted more than 250 players over the years, the Liberty Classic Community Band Festival brings musicians from around the country to rehearse and perform in Williamsport. It is organized and hosted by the city's world-famous Repasz Band, currently headed for its 200th anniversary in 2031.

Every year, Liberty players arrive on Friday to practice that evening and most of Saturday, followed by a banquet at the Genetti Hotel that night. There is a final dress rehearsal Sunday morning and then a free public concert in the afternoon.

"Because music touches the heart and soul," says festival chair Judith Shellenberger, "the Repasz Band proudly hosts the festival as an outreach musical gift to the community. The festival provides outstanding musical experiences for dedicated musicians who perform the highest-quality band literature."

This year's program includes compositions and arrangements by John Williams, Eric Whitacre, Camille Saint-Saens, Alfred Reed, Julie Giroux, Carmen Dragon and John Philip Sousa. The Sunday concert will offer such tunes as "America the Beautiful," "Danse Macabre," "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Gypsy Dance from 'Carmen'" — together with one possible surprise.

In a fitting tie-in, Williams' "Liberty Fanfare" was originally commissioned for the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty in 1986; it continues the festival's regular practice of always playing least one tune with "liberty" in its title.

In addition to his work at Mason and Crane, Maiello has led festivals and clinics throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Europe. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Ithaca College; conducted for the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY; and serves as guest clinician for Yahama and Warner Bros. Publications.

This year's 122 registered musicians and guests include folks from Alabama, Ohio, Virginia, Vermont, Georgia and Kansas.

"Many musicians bring their family members, who will watch the rehearsals and explore Williamsport's many attractions," adds Shellenberger—who also serves as business manager for the Repasz Band. She likewise notes that a large number of 2024's registrants have attended the festival for at least 10 of its 13 years.

"Besides the outstanding musical experience," Shellenberger explains, "musicians return for the warm hospitality of the Genetti Hotel and to perform in the beautiful Community Arts Center."

The Oct. 20 concert is free and open to the public. Watch also for the Repasz Band's annual holiday concert, slated for the CAC at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10.