About Us

The Florence Community Band was founded on April 18, 2001 and affiliated with the Northampton Recreation Department in 2006. We are now a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Since our first rehearsal, with 10 members in attendance, we have grown to a membership roster of over 50 musicians with an average of 35 at rehearsals and performances. Our purpose is to provide musicians the opportunity to gather regularly to play ensemble music, to perform this music for the community and to have fun doing so. There are no auditions, no dues, and people of all ages and musical experience are welcome. We provide free concerts in various settings, including but not limited to: The Northampton High School Auditorium, Nursing facilities, Retirement communities, Community events (such as Northampton Day at Look Park in May and the Florence Civic & Business Association's Annual Chicken Barbeque in September), parks and parades. We host and organize a yearly event, the Community Band Festival, located at the Look Park Pines Theater, in which area community bands come together to rehearse and perform music as an ensemble. We do not play at political or religious events. The band rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. at the Northampton High School Band room, 380 Elm Street Northampton, MA. Rehearsals are fairly structured but still relaxed. Music difficulty ranges from medium easy to medium.  Please review our Calendar for any scheduling changes or for upcoming events information.