History



Three years after the founding of the City of Greenbelt in 1937, a committee was appointed to organize a community band. The committee included representatives of Center School, the City Manager, and the PHA (Public Housing Authority). Musical instruments were obtained from the US Military.

1940
The Greenbelt Community Band was formed. It included both adults and young people. Paul Garrett (DC public school teacher) became the first band director. The first “concerts” were presented in local churches.

1942 (February)
The band marched in its first parade - A Defense Rally with Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt as Guest of Honor. (See a letter from Mrs. Roosevelt to Paul Garrett in “Historic Photos” below.) Emerson Meyers became the second director. He formed a “feeder band” where youths learned to play their instruments before they could join the Community Band.

1943
Dana Garrett became the third director of the Greenbelt Community Band and the Feeder Band.

1948(?)
Greenbelt Fire Department Majorettes joined the Greenbelt Community Band.

1950
Won First Prize in the Lion’s Club Competition (DC Area) and won a trip to Chicago.

1952
Michael Ronca (Northwestern High School band director) became the fourth director.

1954(?)
Donald Smith became the fifth director.

In the later 1950’s and early 1960’s, PG County public school bands began to draw away most of the young musicians from the Greenbelt Community Band. During this period the Greenbelt American Legion provided some of the band’s support and it became an “adult band”.

1960(?) Howard Carle (trombonist) became the sixth director.

1966
John DelHomme (retired US Army Band) became the seventh director. The City of Greenbelt Department of Recreation assumed major support of the band and it was renamed the “Greenbelt Concert Band”.

1994
Tom Cherrix became the eighth director.

1999
Brass Ensemble was formed.

2002
Wind Ensemble was formed.

2016 Joan Rackey became the ninth director.



The above historical outline was assembled using information received from:
• Golden Anniversary Brochure, 1937 to 1987, City of Greenbelt.
• Conversations with Kathleen McFarland, Founding resident of Greenbelt.
• Personal recollections of Tom Cherrix, current director of The Greenbelt Concert Band



Historic Photos

Greenbelt News Review - Oct 13, 2016

George Carroll Memorial

Sean Davis Memorial