Eagles Band Marks 90 Years With Free Concert, Original Composition
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As America marks its 250th anniversary, the Eagles Community Band is celebrating its own milestone: 90 years of bringing music to Berkshire County.
The community concert band will take the stage of the Colonial Theatre on Nov. 7 for a free performance, celebrating the finale to the country's semiquincentennial year and the organization's 90th anniversary. Tickets here.
The concert honors both histories, pairing music that reflects the nation's musical heritage and the Eagles Band's journey from its early days as a marching band.
The first half of the concert will feature general music about the country, including "The Star Spangled Banner," "Americans We," suite from "Hamilton," "God of Our Fathers," "Salute to American Jazz," and "Tribute to America."
The second half of the performance draws on music the band has played throughout its career, from its beginnings to its evolution into the concert band it is today, Eagles Band principal conductor David Diggs said.
"As a community band musician, we do it for a number of reasons. Number 1: we want to play. We love to play, and a community band provides a community and a resource to do that. There's not a lot of options to play if you're not part of a community band," said Jim Bardsley, Eagles Band president.
"The other part is, as a musician, even not a professional musician, you still have some talent … I believe that we should share that talent and give it back to the community. And I think probably most of our members feel the same way. You know, we want to give back to our community being part of the band."
The concert will conclude with the premiere of an original composition commissioned by the band in celebration of its 90th anniversary. The band hired University of New Hampshire music professor Andrew Boysen Jr. to compose the piece, Diggs said.
The Eagles Band was founded in 1936, as a military band, playing in parades and providing support through music. However, its history has not been without challenges, band manager Deanna Fraher said.
In the early 1990s, the band lost its original sponsor, struggled to find a permanent home and saw its membership dwindle to about a dozen musicians. Since then, the band has rebuilt its membership and is now thriving with approximately 70 to 75 members who continue to serve the community with free concerts and performances, she said.
"The band has never stopped performing for the Berkshires in 90 years. One of the stories that I've seen in the history is during World War II, when it was getting closer and closer to the end of the war, the people who played in the band would bring their instruments to work with them in case the end of the war was announced," Fraher said.
"And when it was, they showed up on Main Street with their instruments and they played. So just to show you how involved and dedicated to the community they are."
The original composition incorporates symbolism reflecting the Eagles Band's history, including a melody built around the third, fifth and eighth notes of the musical scale, representing Aerie 358 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the band's original sponsoring organization, Diggs said.
Boysen structured the composition as a standard march form, using three sections — the first strain, second strain and trio — to represent the ideals of strength, majesty and freedom associated with the eagle, the nation's symbol, he said.
The composition also pays tribute to the band's musical traditions, with the trio section opening with a low brass ensemble representing the band's trombone group. The oboe melody then emerges from the brass, recognizing the band's history of conductors who have played the instrument, Diggs said.
"He's pulled together all of these symbolisms about the band into this march, and it's a very interesting march. So I'm excited about the premiere of it, and I hope the band is too," he said.
The Eagles Band performs about 35 free concerts a year through its concert band and smaller ensembles, including brass, trombone, stage and jazz groups, Diggs said.
Its members volunteer their time and talent, bringing music to towns across the Berkshires and beyond, he said.
Additionally, band also supports young musicians, giving students who are ready for the challenge an opportunity to play alongside experienced performers, he said.
Interest in joining the band remains strong, with new musicians joining every few months. The trumpet section alone has 12 members and a waiting list of at least three additional musicians who want to join, said Jim Bardsley, Eagles Band president.
Board Secretary Pam Pyzocha described the band as a family, emphasizing the camaraderie, mentorship and lasting friendships that have developed among members through rehearsals and performances.
Amid the Berkshires' many cultural offerings, including Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow and local theaters, the Eagles Band provides another opportunity for residents to experience live music and connect with their community, Fraher said.
Despite rehearsing nearly every Monday throughout the year, members continue to show up because of their love of music, a dedication that carries over to audiences who return for the band's performances, she said.
The band also fosters a sense of community through its spring and holiday concerts, which feature bake sales and donated gifts, including quilts, artwork and gift certificates from local businesses, as a way to raise funds and thank audiences for their continued support, Fraher said.
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