The Palmerton Community Band will open its 115th year of Summer Concerts in the Palmerton Borough Park at 7 p.m. Sunday (weather permitting).

Since its founding in 1911, the band has continued the tradition of public music performances offered free to the community. This concert is the first of the weekly concerts coordinated by the Bandstand Committee of the Palmerton Concourse Club with financial support provided by the Harry Brown estate.

Mitchell Hourt will make his debut as the new director of the band after serving as assistant director for the past two years. Hourt is a 2020 graduate of Palmerton High School, and a 2024 graduate of Moravian University. He currently teaches music in the Northampton School District.

Hourt commented, “We are seeing growth and great enthusiasm from our young musicians and our veteran members. I am looking forward to the coming season, and I hope our audiences will enjoy the variety of music we will present.”

This concert will include musical selections including classic marches by Sousa and K.L. King; Broadway selections from “Oklahoma,” as well as classic band compositions “Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson and “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Copeland. The band will also perform movie music from “Up,” “The Little Mermaid” and a medley of Aretha Franklin hits dedicated to the “Queen of Soul.”

The band is comprised of musicians from Palmerton and surrounding communities and welcomes participation by adults, college and high school students. It continues to focus on supporting the development of young musicians and entertaining the community with live performances.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Band is grateful to individuals and community sponsors who provide funding for our continued operations; including, The Palmerton Historical Society, The Befesa Community Fund and The Palmerton Concourse Club.