William Rulenbach

Cressona Cornet Band

1902

Founding Conductor

Charles "Todd" Wagner

Cressona Cornet Band

1902-1910

Conductor

Lewis Springer

Cressona Cornet Band

Former Cornetist from Arthur Pryor's Band

1910-1922

Conductor

Henry Bressler

Bressler Band of Schuylkill Haven, PA

Merger of Cressona and Black Horse Bands.  Was Band/Orchestra Teacher at Schuylkill Haven School District for 30 years.

Conductor

1910-1922

Robert Herwig

First Director of Re-Organized Cressona Band

Conductor

1922-1925

Robert Gauss

Former US Cavalry Bandsmen

Had the misfortune of falling in front of a train Minersville in 1926, so his leg was amputated, thus resigning as conductor.

Conductor

1925-1927

Elwood Eiler

Schuylkill Haven, PA Native

Resigned in 1934 due to illness.  Passed away in 1942.

Conductor

1927-1934

J. Arthur Reinsmith

Allentown, PA Native

Came to Pottsville in 1929 to become Theater Music Director Hippodrome Theatre Pottsville- (1929-1955)

The Band Discontinued briefly in 1938 due to the depression.

Continued to be active in the band until his death in 1973.

Conductor

1934-1938

Harry E. Yeich

Regular Rehearsals resumed beginning in 1938 under his baton.

Allowed Women to enter the band as members- 1952- Marianne Beissel (Blankenhorn)

Oversaw building of Band Hall 1956-1957.  Land donated by William Schwartz of Hill Farm Dairy on Wilson Street in Cressona.

Conductor

1938-1970

Suffered a stroke in 1970- resigned due to health issues.  Passed away in 1974.

Joseph Bittle

After Harry Yeich had a stroke, longtime Cornetist Joe Bittle (son of founding member Oscar Bittle-1922), took the reigns as Interim Conductor, but his job at Alcoa made it impossible to be the full- time Conductor.  He played with the Cressona Band for 75 Years (1922-1997), joining at age 9, and passed away at the age of 92 in 2005.

Interim Conductor

1970

Elmer Evans

A talented clarinetist, he conducted Pottsville Third Brigade Band as well as Cressona Band.  Former member of the American Legion Band in Mahanoy City, as well as the St. Ann's Band in Freeland. He passed away in 1987. 

Conductor

1970-1979

John F. Potlunas

"Mr. P" conducted the Cressona Band for almost 42 years before his untimely passing in 2021.  He helped update the Band's repertoire to keep up with the changing styles of audiences.  His quick wit and humor was always a staple of concerts and rehearsals.

Principal Conductor

1979-2021

J. Richard Zimmerman

Passed away at the age of 31 due to an unfortunate automobile accident.

Associate Conductor

1961-1967