History

Eddie Thompson, our bass drummer, in a Minute Tapioca uniform, on Memorial Day. Guessing it to be late '50's Eddy, recently with the same drum.

The Minute Tapioca plant in Orange closed in 1967, but the band continued, still using the Tapioca name. After Huber Tandy died in 1969, a series of guest conductors led the band. In 1976 the Minute Tapioca requested that the band no longer use its name, so it became the Orange Community Band. Anthony Bosco was the conductor from 1978 - 1988, and other guest conductors were employed through the years. The Orange Community Band has continued the tradition of free family style concerts in Butterfield Park on Friday evenings from late June through July. The name has changed, but the purpose remains the same: to provide musical entertainment for the families of Orange and the surrounding area. Since corporate support of the band ended when the Tapioca Company moved out, the band has been sponsored, first by the town, and now by the generosity of businesses and individuals throughout the community.

Band members are a group of talented musicians of all ages who share a love of music and the desire to perform together to create music for the community. Many members have been involved with the band for decades; others are newcomers. Some returned to music after several years away from an organized group, others have been a part of the band since they left their high school or college organizations. Together they work and play to provide a memorable musical experience for themselves and the community, carrying on the tradition of local bands entertaining the communities.

The Orange Community Band is truly a community organization, and our support comes from throughout the area, ranging from concert sponsorships ($400 to sponsor a concert) to donations in the "Music Fund" canister at summer concerts. These funds are used to update our music library, to maintain our equipment, and to maintain and refurbish the bandstand area and the surrounding town park.