About Us

The Hollidaysburg Alumni Band was formed in 1953 by Elliott Treese ("The Chief"), who concurrently served as the Hollidaysburg Area High School Band Director and Director of the Alumni Band for over 30 years. The Band’s very first performance was at half-time for a homecoming football game, with only true HAHS Band alumni. Over the past 55 years, the Band has continued to flourish and now includes musicians from throughout the entire central PA region. To more accurately depict the diversity of its membership, the group has also been officially renamed the Hollidaysburg Community Band.

While the Canal Basin Band Shell is our home performance venue, the Band also performs for such occasions as church picnics, dedication ceremonies, nursing home and Veteran's home functions, as well as Baker Mansion concerts on the lawn, Altoona Curve baseball games, and the Logan Valley Mall tree lighting ceremony. Some of the Band's more prestigious performances include area concerts for former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and for the then-campaigning presidential candidate George H. W. Bush.

Jack Sears, now retired from the Altoona Area School District, was the director for 18 years. His efforts were directly responsible for increased membership and a marked musical improvement over the years. Mr. Sears has arranged and written a number of pieces of music for the band, including "The Canal Basin March."

Membership in the Band only requires a positive attitude and a willingness to have fun making great music. We rehearse Tuesday evenings from 7 — 9 p.m., at the Canal Basin, April through August. Please feel free to contact us for further inquiry regarding membership or to potentially schedule the Band for a performance.