YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The annual 24-hour online giving event to benefit hundreds of York County non-profit groups is coming up in May. Over the next few weeks, FOX43 is exploring some of the non-profit groups benefiting from Give Local York.
One of these nonprofits is the Emigsville Band.
Originally known as the Acme Cornet Band, the Emigsville Band was organized in 1878. Today, the band boasts a roster of 60 to 70 instrumentalists who perform concerts each season for community events across central Pennsylvania.
"It's for the community," said band director Jim Rowlands. "It gives us an outlet, a chance to give back to the community."
Practice makes perfect for this year's upcoming concert season, which usually runs from May through December.
That also includes performances for local nursing homes.
"We get to give back and leave those concerts feeling real[ly] good that you've been able to give back to those people," said Rowlands.
The band is also an outlet for local amateur musicians of a variety of ages and experience levels.
"What's special about a community band is that anyone, regardless of their musical proficiency or age, [has] a home here. They are welcome to play with us whenever they want and how frequently they can come," said Michael Kirk, the assistant director.
The Emigsville Band is a volunteer non-profit organization that charges small fees for performances. That money goes to concert expenses and small subsidies to offset the cost of traveling to performances.
Money raised at this year's Give Local York event has been earmarked solely for more nursing home concerts, according to Rowlands.
Give Local York will be held on May 2.