The Palmerton Community Band will open the 2025 Summer Concert series in the Palmerton Borough Park at 7 p.m. Sunday (weather permitting).

Under the direction of conductor Joseph Plechavy and assistant conductor Mitchell Hourt, the band will perform a variety of musical selections including classic marches by Sousa and Barber, Broadway selections from “Dear Evan Hansen” as well as classic band compositions “Bandology” by Osterling and “American Folk Rhapsody” by Grundman. Featured soloist for the concert is Michael Reph performing “A Trumpeter’s Prayer” by Camaratta.

This concert is the first of 12 weekly concerts hosted and coordinated by the Bandstand Committee of the Palmerton Concourse Club with financial support provided for the 2025 concert series by the Harry Brown estate.

This marks the 114th year of the performances by the band since its founding in 1911 and continues a tradition of public music performances offered free to the community, said John DeSousa, president, Palmerton Community Band.

“The variety of music that is scheduled is outstanding,” DeSousa said. “There is something for almost every persons’ musical taste.”

DeSousa added “It is so unusual to have a concert series like this that is open to the public at no charge, especially in a smaller community.

“Thanks to the Concourse Club of Palmerton for their hard work in sponsoring these concerts for the community at no charge,” he said. “I hope the residents of the area take full advantage of the entire concert series, and that they bring their children or grandchildren to hear and see the performances of talented local musicians.”

DeSousa said the band is composed of musicians from Palmerton and surrounding communities and counties and is open to adults, college and high school students.

As a not-for-profit organization, he said the band is grateful to community sponsors who provide funding for its continued operations.