HISTORY OF THE CRESSONA BAND

Band Charter- March 31, 1902- "Cressona Cornet Band"

1902-1911- Cressona Cornet Band

1911-1922- Bressler Band

April 1922- Reorganized as "Cressona Band" under American Legion Post 286 of Cressona, PA

1922-Present- Cressona Band

Compiled by John P. Shoener

Organized in the late 19th Century with William Rulenback, director, the band rehearsed in the old Patriotic Order Sons of America Hall in Beckville.  In 1902 that band received its charter.  At that time Charles (Todd) Wagner was the director.  Lewis Spring was appointed director in 1910. 

Several years later, Henry Bressler of Black Horse combined the Cressona Band and the Black Horse Band continuing this way for a number of years and later becoming known as the Bressler Band of Schuylkill Haven.  Their rehearsals were held at the Columbia Hose House in Schuylkill Haven.

In 1922, The American Legion Post 286 in Cressona reorganized the Cressona Band and through the efforts of Harry Lye and Oscar Bittle of Cressona, instruments previously owned by the Cressona Band were taken from storage from attics and cellars.  These were stored in Bittle’s living room until someone was found to play them.

 At this time, Robert Herwig of Pottsville was director and rehearsals were held in the old Disston Horn Factory on Front St. in Cressona.

In 1925, a US Cavalry bandsmen, Robert Gauss was appointed conductor.  In 1927, Gauss had to have his foot amputated after falling in front of a train.  With this handicap he was forced to resign as director.

At this time, Elwood Eiler of Schuylkill Haven was secured as Director.  Eiler, proprietor of a music store in Schuylkill Haven, had previously directed the Citizen’s Band of Schuylkill Haven during the same time the Bressler Band was in existence.

Eiler resigned in 1934 due to illness and later the services of J. Arthur Reinsmith of Pottsville, were secured.  However, with the depression of the thirties causing many hardships, the band was discontinued.

In 1938, Harry E. Yeich, of Cressona, and several members began holding rehearsals in the Good Will Fire Co in Cressona.  Prior to this reorganization, Yeich directed a small concert orchestra which played throughout Schuylkill County.  An outstanding teacher of music, Yeich brought many of his students into the band and many continued onto a career in music.

During Yeich’s directorship, the band traveled to parades in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Lebanon, Reading, and other towns in Schuylkill and Berks counties.  The band played concerts annually at the Hershey Park Band Shell, at church picnics, and firemen’s events.

 For many parades, the band enjoyed the services of “The Singing Miners”, a group of men from the Cedars of Lebanon-Schuylkill Forest.  These men paraded in a line in front of the band, dressed as coal miners complete with camp with lamp.  Their unusual dress and their especially good singing of popular tunes of the day through their megaphones, won them tremendous applause.  During this period, the band was helped financially by block parties, minstrel shows, and annual spring concerts.

In August of 1956, the band voted to construct its own band hall.  William Schwartz of Hill Farm Dairy donated a plot of ground on Wilson Street in Cressona, and the members began construction of the building.  By February of 1957, the first rehearsal was held in the new building.

Credit for planning and construction went to Edward Beck of Cressona, who also played trumpet in the band.  Although he and his sons did much of the work, he guided all the would-be carpenters, masons and painters of the band membership until the job was complete.

 Soon after the building was constructed, wives of the band members organized an auxiliary later serving dinners held at the Band Hall.  They also jointed with band members in holding card parties and block parties, all to help pay off the mortgage.

When illness forced Yeich to resign, Joseph Bittle took over as director.  He is the son of Oscar Bittle, who helped organize the band in 1922.  Bittle served for only a short period of time due to his night shift work.,  He continued to perform with the band as the first trumpet player and soloist.

In 1970, Elmer Evans, of Pottsville, took over the reign of the band.  Elmer served as the conductor of the Band until 1979, when John F. Potlunas took over as conductor.  During this time period, the Cressona Jazz Band, a staple of many community events was founded.  The Jazz Band remained a staple into the early 2000s before it was disbanded.

Potlunas, a member of the band, took the band’s repertoire and updated it for the 20th Century.  He served as conductor until 2021, when he passed away unexpectedly. 

In 2019, David R. Schmaldienst served as Interim Conductor.  In 2020, there were no concerts played due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.  

In Summer 2021, Craig Shoener was appointed Principal Conductor following the passing of John F. Potlunas. In 2021, the Cressona Band Hall was renamed The John F. Potlunas Cressona Band Hall.  Myron Charowsky served as an Associate Conductor during the 2022-2023 seasons. John P. Shoener has served as an Associate Conductor since 2022. 

The Cressona Band is a community band with members of all ages and from all walks of life that come from across Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas to join in their love for music. We play concerts and parades in many small towns in eastern PA. Come out and see us in Cressona, Schuylkill Haven, New Philadelphia, Saint Clair, Port Carbon, Tamaqua, Minersville, Ashland, Pottsville and many other local communities. Our music includes many marches and patriotic songs, classical music, overtures, show tunes, and contemporary band music.

We practice every Monday night from April through August at the band hall on Wilson Street in Cressona. Practice begins at 7:00 and runs until 8:30.

Principal Conductors

1902-1910- Charles “Todd” Wagner

1910-1922- Lewis Spring and Henry Bressler

1922-1925- Robert Herwig

1925-1927- Robert Gauss

1927-1934- Elwood Eiler

1934-1938- J. Arthur Reinsmith

1938-1970- Harry E. Yeich

1970- Joseph Bittle

1970-1979- Elmer Evans

1979-2021- John F. Potlunas

2021-Present- Craig N. Shoener

Associate Conductors

2022-2023- Myron Charowsky

2022-Present- John P. Shoener

Interim Conductors

2019-2021- David R. Schmaldienst

2021- Craig N. Shoener