Silver Cornet Band to give final performance of the summer

The members of the Silver Cornet Band are not ones to toot their own horns... well actually they are, but they are not braggarts.

This band of music buffs, many who are teachers, are part of a 166-year-old community tradition full of ups, downs and local legends. Every other week during the summer this collection of blue shirted brass aficionados put on a show in Franklin's Bandstand Park. They call themselves one of the oldest community style bands still in existence in this country. No one seems ready and equipped to dispute that claim given that they first formed in 1856 and were incorporated 20 years later.

This Thursday they will perform their final show of the summer beginning at 7:30 p.m. Every show includes a bit of music history read in the dulcet tones of band historian Peter Greene.

The current band leader, Terri Wittreich, said the band's final show will be comprised of the favorite tunes of the year picked by the members. They then take a little time off. In October they begin preparing for their annual "Pops Concert" performed in front of a crowd at the Barrow-Civic Theatre the day after Thanksgiving. They have been playing this holiday show since 1979.

The band is always looking for fresh blood and this year they welcomed four new members, according to Wittreich. Their summer concerts are free to the public, but they do accept donations to put towards new equipment, uniforms and shirts for members. They also have sponsorships from groups like the Elks, Moose and Eagles lodges.

Learn more about supporting the band, their history or just to keep up to date on their Facebook page at ​https://www.facebook.com/groups/2207681351