Each summer
since 1986, The Ohio Valley Community Band has been providing musical
entertainment across the Pittsburgh area. The Band is both a marching
and concert band, unique among today’s community bands.
The
Ohio Valley Band is an all-volunteer organization comprised of both
professional and amateur musicians from various walks of life. Members
include those in education, health care, business, engineering,
students and the ever-intrepid retirees. The Band has thirty-six
regular members and an eight-member color guard that participate in
parades and concerts from Memorial Day through the end of August.
Upon
his retirement from teaching music, Frank Bjalobok founded the Ohio
Valley Band looking to continue to share his love of music with
others. Since then, the Band has performed for community, church and
civic organizations in the greater Pittsburgh area. Frank directed the
Band until his passing in October 2007. Currently, the Band’s musical
director is Ron DePascale, a music educator in the Montour School
District. The Band’s Advisory Committee plans and coordinates the
performances throughout the season.
The 2009 performance season
includes the Sewickley and Coraopolis Memorial Day Parades, Canonsburg
Fourth of July Parade, Celebrate America at Kennywood Park, Italian Day
Celebration at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a concert for the
Washington Wild Things at Consol Park, the San Rocco Festival at St.
Raphael Church in Morningside, and a Veteran’s Tribute Concert at the
VFW Post in Coraopolis, whose members generously provide their
facilities for the Band’s rehearsal sessions.