The Blawenburg Band, New Jersey’s oldest community band, celebrates its 135 years of performing as well as the 40th year of conductor Dr. Jerry Rife’s leadership at its Anniversary Concert in Kendall Hall on The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) campus, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. The concert will feature a variety of music, including traditional band marches, show tunes, and more.
Founded in 1890, the band was named for the village where it was based in for many years, the historic village of Blawenburg in Montgomery Township. The band began with a handful of musicians who gathered weekly in the upper room of the village blacksmith and wheelwright shop. Today, the band has grown to over 80 members, and Rife has conducted over 1500 concerts, averaging 20 per year. Under his direction, the band has played over 400 different pieces since 1990, the year of the first Anniversary Concert.
Under Rife’s leadership, the band has grown in size and sophistication, playing more difficult and diverse pieces. Band members practice every week during the school year to prepare for their performances. They play two large concerts each year, the Anniversary Concert in the spring and the Holiday Concert in December. In addition, the band plays a concert series in Hopewell Borough during the summer months and at many smaller venues throughout the year.
Much of the success of the band comes from Rife’s belief that in rehearsals and concerts, the band members must have fun mixed with a lot of playing. “They come to play,” Rife recently said of the band members, “so that’s what we do each week.” He treats the band as a family, and it shows in the quality and cohesiveness of the performances.
Rife has been a musician all his life, beginning in his early years within his musical family. He played the cornet until he got braces, then he switched to clarinet for a less painful experience. When he went to Kansas State University, he briefly thought he wanted to be an entomologist like his father, but he was soon drawn to music studies. After his undergraduate years, he became a music teacher and band director in Kansas at Lincoln High School, where the total school enrollment was 104 students, and 96 of them were in the band.
He earned a PhD in musicology at Michigan State where he also served as assistant professor. In 1984, he began teaching at Rider University, and served as professor and Fine Arts Department chair for nine years. He holds the rank of professor emeritus of music.
Rife quickly discovered the Blawenburg Band upon coming to New Jersey, and after playing clarinet for a year, he became its conductor in 1985. Slowly and steadily, he grew the band in the number of members as well as the quality of the music. Today, the band has an outstanding reputation, having played concerts at Princeton University, Longwood Gardens, the Sousa Centennial Ceremony, and the White House.
Music has always been a part of Jerry Rife’s life. Even today, he practices at least two hours a day and tends to the business of the band and other musical interests on most days. Those who attend his concerts can attest to his leadership skills and the quality of music his band plays, which are evident from the first downbeat of his baton. The Blawenburg Band is not only New Jersey’s oldest band but it is also one of its best.
The Anniversary Concert and all other Blawenburg Band events are free, and donations are always welcomed.
Anniversary Concert, Blawenburg Band, Kendall Hall, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing. Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. Free; donations welcome. blawenburgband.org.
David Cochran lives in Blawenburg and has followed the Blawenburg Band for more than 40 years. He has published five articles about the band. Visit dcochran.net.
Jerry Rife celebrates 40 years as conductor of the 135-year-old Blawenburg Band at its anniversary concert on Sunday, May 18, at The College of New Jersey.,
