The Gettysburg Brass Band Festival was first held June 20, 1998 with the cooperation of several hard-working, brass-band loving folks. Inspired by other brass band events held throughout the country, the Gettysburg festival attempted to incorporate the historic pathway of downtown Gettysburg with various local and some not-so-local brass band ensembles. The festival is held over the third weekend in June.

For the first several years, events kicked off at Ziegler's Grove, located near the Cyclorama at Gettysburg National Military Park. Other venues were scattered throughout downtown Gettysburg. Alumni Park, at the corner of Baltimore and Lefever Street quickly became one of the more popular settings, with its ample shade and natural acoustics. Downtown events have been and hopefully will continue to be free to all those who attend.

The Stadium Spectacular is a festival highlight--held at Gettysburg College's Musselman Stadium. For the first several years, there was no admission charge to attend the Spectacular. The US Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, along with the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon was a crowd favorite for the first three years. They also thrilled the crowd by landing a few interesting aircraft over the years.

A local favorite, The Hanover Lancers Alumni Drum Corps, always delivers a heart-stirring performance. Lots of "locals" are members of this active alumni corps. The year 2000 was significant in that two world class drum corps were added to the Spectacular. Seven-time world champion Cadets of Bergen County, as well as The Crossmen, 16-time DCI finalists, shared their considerable talents. Little did we know at that time, but the Cadets would go on and win their 8th world title in August. The Crossmen once again finished in the top 10. Despite some daytime rain in 2001, the event was still a huge success and the field shows went off despite the black threatening skies.

The Festival has stayed true to its origins, offering between 20 and 25 free concerts throughout historic downtown Gettysburg, mixed with performances on the Gettysburg Battlefield and the Gettysburg College Stadium Spectacular. Variations through the years include an expansion in 2004 with concerts spread over two weekends. The Spectacular became a ticketed event for several years, with the Festival Committee dedicated to keeping ticket prices as modest a fee as possible, while still offering world-class drum corps performances.

The Festival has evolved into one of the premier musical events in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Participants over the years include a wide variety of brass performers; brass quintets, trombone and tuba quartets, British style brass bands, American style brass bands, Dixieland bands, brass choirs, Civil War period bands, community bands, and even a brass band performing on a bandwagon.

As the Festival celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2007, there were many exciting performers. We welcomed back the flawless precision of the Marines’ Battle Color Detachment (BCD). Based at historic Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C, the BCD is comprised of “The Commandant’s Own” The U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the Battle Colors of the Marine Corps. The Drum & Bugle Corps are under the direction of Lt. Col. Brent Harrison. They performed at the Stadium Spectacular on June 17, 2007.

An impressive line-up of nearly 25 critically-acclaimed brass bands participated in the 2007 Festival. Bands hail from as far away as California, with the Brass Band of the California Battalion made the trip to Gettysburg.

Hope to see you June 19-22, 2008 in “the most famous small town in America,” historic Gettysburg, PA.

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