I will soon be reintroducing HB 2484, which would designate the River City Brass Band as the Official Brass Band of Pennsylvania. The River City Brass Band - based in Pittsburgh - is the only full-time performing brass band in Pennsylvania, if not the world. Its first concert was on November 21, 1981 at Carnegie Music Hall. The mission of the River City Brass Band is to propagate and perpetuate musical culture, primarily American musical culture, across a broad spectrum of the public through the presentation of brass band performances, educational programs and the production of recordings and has as its central obligation service to the people of western Pennsylvania. Today, the River City Brass Band’s season consists of 63 concerts in southwestern Pennsylvania and 20 to 30 special concerts throughout the United States. Over 100,000 fans annually attend a River City Brass Band concert. Naming an official brass band of the Commonwealth would enhance Pennsylvania tourism as well as establish an ambassador for Pennsylvania at home and abroad. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Nate Silcox of my staff at 717-787-6538 or nsilcox@pasen.gov. |