The Bel Air Community Band

(BACB) was proud to celebrate our 50th Anniversary recently!  The band exists for musicians of Bel Air and the surrounding areas have the opportunity to continue to make music. 

Our motto:  “We love to make music and that’s why we’re here!”

In 1964, the late Mayor of Bel Air, the Honorable Werner Buchal, and the Town Commissioners formed a committee to establish a community band.  Since the band’s inception, the Town of Bel Air has furnished generous financial support through its Parks and Recreation Committee.  The band has grown from 20 charter members to our current membership of 95.  After outgrowing numerous rehearsal locations, the BACB currently rehearses Monday evenings at Patterson Mill High School.  Through a partnership formed with Harford Community College (HCC) in 1969, students of HCC have the opportunity to play in the band and receive college credit.

During the band’s 54 years of existence, the band has performed under the direction of six conductors. They are in order of service: Ralph Porter, Robert Paige, Director Emeritus Michael Pastelak, who directed the band for 25 years, Robert Pouliot, the current director of the City of Fairfax Band, long time director C. Scott Sharnetzka, and our current director Richard Hauf.

Indoor concerts are held in May and December at Bel Air High School.  Outdoor concerts are held at the William A. Humbert Amphitheater including the Memorial Day Service, Bel Air Summer Concert and the Bel Air Festival for the Arts.  The BACB is an annual participant in Maryland Community Band Day.