Band History
1928-1929 - The Band is formed-Professor Harry Stenger Director.
1931 - Mr. Edwin Longanecker joins faculty to teach English and direct the band.
1932 - The Band gets its first female member and new uniforms.
1934 - The Band participants in the National Forensic Leagues Band Contest.
1944-1945 - The Band performs for the first time in the Hunterstown Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies.
1951 - Mr. Robert G. Zeigler joins the faculty as the first full-time Band Director.
1952 - The Booster Club is formed, new uniforms purchased, Airon Award presented for the first time. The Band participates in the Gettysburg College Band Day.
1953 - The Band receives a trophy and an excellent rating in the Harrisburg Marching Contest.
1954 - Gettysburg hosts Southern District Band.
1955 - The Band participates in welcoming President Eisenhower to Gettysburg.
1956-1957 - The Band marches in President Eisenhower’s Inaugural Parade, Gettysburg College Commencement Exercises, Dedication of the U.S. Army Reserve Center.
1963 - 100th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
1964 - Mr. Roger L. Parsels becomes Band Director, Band participates in State Lions Club Parade.
1965 - the Band travels to New York, plays at World’s Fair, plays at Eisenhower Farm and Participates in the dedication of monument to “The Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy.”
1966 - First Exchange Concert- with West York High School.
1967 - The Band participates in Governor Shafer’s Inaugural Parade, Gettysburg College Music Festival and the Elks State Convention Parade.
1968 - Robert Nagel preforms with the Band for the Spring Concert. Exchange Concert is with Bloomfield High School Band, New Jersey.
1969 - Exchange Concert with Binghamton Central High School Band, New York.
1970 - Exchange Concert with Ithaca High School, New York.
1971 - The Band participates in the Indianapolis Memorial Day Parade and at Indy “500”, also, Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade, and new uniforms and at Indy “500”, also, Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade, and new uniforms.
1972 - Gettysburg hosts Southern District PMEA Adjudication Festival.
1973 - Exchange Concert with Pompton Plains High School, New Jersey.
1974 - Exchange with Skaneateles High School, New York. The Band received “Excellent” rating at Southern District PMEA Adjudication Festival at Waynesboro.
1975 - The Band participates in Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade and “Almost Anything Goes” exchange with Lexington High School, Virginia.
1976 - Exchange Concert with Maryville High School, Cheektowaga, New York.
1977 - Exchange Concert with Lawrence High School, Cedarhurst, New York.
1978 - Exchange Concert with Northeastern High School, Elizabeth City, NC.
1981 - Mr. Benjamin L. Jones becomes the High School Band Director.
1982 - Ceremonial Brass Band started.
1983 - The Band performs in the Azalea Festival in Norfolk, Virginia.
1986-1987 - Magic Music Days in Orlando, Florida over Thanksgiving.
1989 - National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington DC.
1990 - Citrus Bowl Parade in Orlando, Florida. Main street Parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
1991 - The Band performs at the Parade of Champions at James Madison University.
1992-1993 - Mr. Parcels retires from the GASD, Mr. Jones moves to the Elementary Band.
1993 - Jami Jennings Verdosa becomes the seventh Band Director, the Band receives new uniforms.
1994-1995 - Spring of 1995-The Band performs in the London New Year’s Day Parade.
1998 - Mrs. Verderosa leaves and Mr. Jones returns to the High School.
1998-1999 - the Band performs in the PA Fireman’s Parade in Gettybsurg and travels to Florida to perform in the Gator Bowl and Parade, also performed at Walt Disney World.
2001-2002 - Hosted the PMEA Lower District 7 Band Festival with Dr. Mark Heidel as Guest Conductor.
2002-2003 - The Band performed in the Gator Bowl and Parade. Mr. Jones retires. The Ceremonial Brass Band performs at Governor Rendell’s Inauguration.
2003-2004 - Mr. Matthew Alosi becomes the 8th Band Director. The Band celebrates it’s 75th year. Co-hosted band competition with New Oxford high School featuring the 180 member Shippensburg University Marching Band.
2004-2005 - The Band hosts its first Pennsylvania Bandmasters Association
Adjudication Festival, performs at the Gettysburg “History Meets the Arts” Festival, performs at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with the Orchestra.
2005-2006 - Hosts the 200 member Indiana University of Pennsylvania Marching Band at a football game, hosts the PMEA Lower District 7 Band Festival with Trever R. Famulare as Guest Conductor, hosts another Pennsylvania Bandmasters Festival. Band gets new uniforms.
2006-2007 - Band performs at State Aquarium in Charleston, SC. Band performs at Walt Disney World and does a Music-In-The-Parks competition at Universal Studios in Orlando. The Band marches in the “Pennsylvania treasures” Parade in Harrisburg celebrating the Centennial of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building.
2007-2008 - Ceremonial Brass Band performs at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg and the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, DC, as well as the opening of the new Visitor’s Center in Gettysburg. The Band performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. Hosted the 350 member West Chester University “Golden Rams” Marching Band for a home football game. The Ceremonial Brass performed at the Governor’s Arts Awards hosted by Gettysburg.
2008-2009 – Band celebrated its 80th year with a Homecoming reunion of past directors and 1957 members who marched in the Eisenhower Inauguration. Band/Orch./Chorus performs at Lincoln Memorial for bicentennial of Pres. Lincoln’s birth, May 2009. Ceremonial Brass performs w/River City Brass (Pittsburgh) for 2009 Gettysburg Festival-Celebrating America.
2009-2010 – GAHS hosted PMEA Region V Band Festival, Dr. Richard Mark Heidel (Univ. of Iowa), Guest Conductor. PSU Trombone Choir performed under Prof Mark Lusk. Band appeared at 2010 Penn State Blue & White game in State College.
2010-2011- The Ceremonial Brass Band performs in Charleston, SC. Marching Band performs in parade at Disney World, Orlando, Florida
2011-2012 – Sam Tate, graduate of Penn State, becomes interim Band Director for a year. Jazz Band performs at Gettysburg Winery.
2012-2013 – Mr. David E. Conklin, graduate of Michigan State University, becomes the 9th Band Director. Ceremonial Brass Band plays for the Announcement of the Medal of Honor Society Conference. Bands help celebrate the 150th battle anniversary with special concert selections.
2013-2014 – The Symphonic Band, along with the HS Chorus and Orchestra traveled to Orlando, Florida to perform in Downtown Disney and Epcot for Disney Performing Arts.
2016-2017 - Our marching show this year was “A Pirate’s Adventure”. Senior band, choir, and orchestra members went to NYC to see “Miss Saigon”. Mr. Conklin retires from GASD.
2017-2018 - Mr. Walter Choplick, graduate of Lebanon Valley College, becomes the 10th band director. Our marching show this year was “Broadway Showstoppers”.
2018-2019 - Our marching show this year was “Sci-Fi Spectacular”.
2019-2020 - "Superheros" was the theme for this year's marching show. The band, chorus, and orchestra was slated to go to Nashville, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1931 - Mr. Edwin Longanecker joins faculty to teach English and direct the band.
1932 - The Band gets its first female member and new uniforms.
1934 - The Band participants in the National Forensic Leagues Band Contest.
1944-1945 - The Band performs for the first time in the Hunterstown Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies.
1951 - Mr. Robert G. Zeigler joins the faculty as the first full-time Band Director.
1952 - The Booster Club is formed, new uniforms purchased, Airon Award presented for the first time. The Band participates in the Gettysburg College Band Day.
1953 - The Band receives a trophy and an excellent rating in the Harrisburg Marching Contest.
1954 - Gettysburg hosts Southern District Band.
1955 - The Band participates in welcoming President Eisenhower to Gettysburg.
1956-1957 - The Band marches in President Eisenhower’s Inaugural Parade, Gettysburg College Commencement Exercises, Dedication of the U.S. Army Reserve Center.
1963 - 100th Anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
1964 - Mr. Roger L. Parsels becomes Band Director, Band participates in State Lions Club Parade.
1965 - the Band travels to New York, plays at World’s Fair, plays at Eisenhower Farm and Participates in the dedication of monument to “The Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy.”
1966 - First Exchange Concert- with West York High School.
1967 - The Band participates in Governor Shafer’s Inaugural Parade, Gettysburg College Music Festival and the Elks State Convention Parade.
1968 - Robert Nagel preforms with the Band for the Spring Concert. Exchange Concert is with Bloomfield High School Band, New Jersey.
1969 - Exchange Concert with Binghamton Central High School Band, New York.
1970 - Exchange Concert with Ithaca High School, New York.
1971 - The Band participates in the Indianapolis Memorial Day Parade and at Indy “500”, also, Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade, and new uniforms and at Indy “500”, also, Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade, and new uniforms.
1972 - Gettysburg hosts Southern District PMEA Adjudication Festival.
1973 - Exchange Concert with Pompton Plains High School, New Jersey.
1974 - Exchange with Skaneateles High School, New York. The Band received “Excellent” rating at Southern District PMEA Adjudication Festival at Waynesboro.
1975 - The Band participates in Governor Shapp’s Inaugural Parade and “Almost Anything Goes” exchange with Lexington High School, Virginia.
1976 - Exchange Concert with Maryville High School, Cheektowaga, New York.
1977 - Exchange Concert with Lawrence High School, Cedarhurst, New York.
1978 - Exchange Concert with Northeastern High School, Elizabeth City, NC.
1981 - Mr. Benjamin L. Jones becomes the High School Band Director.
1982 - Ceremonial Brass Band started.
1983 - The Band performs in the Azalea Festival in Norfolk, Virginia.
1986-1987 - Magic Music Days in Orlando, Florida over Thanksgiving.
1989 - National Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington DC.
1990 - Citrus Bowl Parade in Orlando, Florida. Main street Parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
1991 - The Band performs at the Parade of Champions at James Madison University.
1992-1993 - Mr. Parcels retires from the GASD, Mr. Jones moves to the Elementary Band.
1993 - Jami Jennings Verdosa becomes the seventh Band Director, the Band receives new uniforms.
1994-1995 - Spring of 1995-The Band performs in the London New Year’s Day Parade.
1998 - Mrs. Verderosa leaves and Mr. Jones returns to the High School.
1998-1999 - the Band performs in the PA Fireman’s Parade in Gettybsurg and travels to Florida to perform in the Gator Bowl and Parade, also performed at Walt Disney World.
2001-2002 - Hosted the PMEA Lower District 7 Band Festival with Dr. Mark Heidel as Guest Conductor.
2002-2003 - The Band performed in the Gator Bowl and Parade. Mr. Jones retires. The Ceremonial Brass Band performs at Governor Rendell’s Inauguration.
2003-2004 - Mr. Matthew Alosi becomes the 8th Band Director. The Band celebrates it’s 75th year. Co-hosted band competition with New Oxford high School featuring the 180 member Shippensburg University Marching Band.
2004-2005 - The Band hosts its first Pennsylvania Bandmasters Association
Adjudication Festival, performs at the Gettysburg “History Meets the Arts” Festival, performs at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with the Orchestra.
2005-2006 - Hosts the 200 member Indiana University of Pennsylvania Marching Band at a football game, hosts the PMEA Lower District 7 Band Festival with Trever R. Famulare as Guest Conductor, hosts another Pennsylvania Bandmasters Festival. Band gets new uniforms.
2006-2007 - Band performs at State Aquarium in Charleston, SC. Band performs at Walt Disney World and does a Music-In-The-Parks competition at Universal Studios in Orlando. The Band marches in the “Pennsylvania treasures” Parade in Harrisburg celebrating the Centennial of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building.
2007-2008 - Ceremonial Brass Band performs at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg and the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, DC, as well as the opening of the new Visitor’s Center in Gettysburg. The Band performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. Hosted the 350 member West Chester University “Golden Rams” Marching Band for a home football game. The Ceremonial Brass performed at the Governor’s Arts Awards hosted by Gettysburg.
2008-2009 – Band celebrated its 80th year with a Homecoming reunion of past directors and 1957 members who marched in the Eisenhower Inauguration. Band/Orch./Chorus performs at Lincoln Memorial for bicentennial of Pres. Lincoln’s birth, May 2009. Ceremonial Brass performs w/River City Brass (Pittsburgh) for 2009 Gettysburg Festival-Celebrating America.
2009-2010 – GAHS hosted PMEA Region V Band Festival, Dr. Richard Mark Heidel (Univ. of Iowa), Guest Conductor. PSU Trombone Choir performed under Prof Mark Lusk. Band appeared at 2010 Penn State Blue & White game in State College.
2010-2011- The Ceremonial Brass Band performs in Charleston, SC. Marching Band performs in parade at Disney World, Orlando, Florida
2011-2012 – Sam Tate, graduate of Penn State, becomes interim Band Director for a year. Jazz Band performs at Gettysburg Winery.
2012-2013 – Mr. David E. Conklin, graduate of Michigan State University, becomes the 9th Band Director. Ceremonial Brass Band plays for the Announcement of the Medal of Honor Society Conference. Bands help celebrate the 150th battle anniversary with special concert selections.
2013-2014 – The Symphonic Band, along with the HS Chorus and Orchestra traveled to Orlando, Florida to perform in Downtown Disney and Epcot for Disney Performing Arts.
2016-2017 - Our marching show this year was “A Pirate’s Adventure”. Senior band, choir, and orchestra members went to NYC to see “Miss Saigon”. Mr. Conklin retires from GASD.
2017-2018 - Mr. Walter Choplick, graduate of Lebanon Valley College, becomes the 10th band director. Our marching show this year was “Broadway Showstoppers”.
2018-2019 - Our marching show this year was “Sci-Fi Spectacular”.
2019-2020 - "Superheros" was the theme for this year's marching show. The band, chorus, and orchestra was slated to go to Nashville, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.