Greenwood Community Band performed its 40th annual fall concert on Sunday afternoon, October 8, and, although the performance was at Greenwood High School in Millerstown, there was a definite East Juniata element involved.

The band was formed in 1977, and now has over 70 musicians, ranging in age from 15 to over 80. Its present members include current East Juniata High School students Kylie Elsasser, Sierra Gearhart, Sarah Irvin, Bryson Kantz, Zachary Leitzel, Samantha Ricedorf, and Paige Smith, along with Chad Miller, a Midd-West High School student, who performs with the East Juniata Tiger Marching Band and the East Juniata Jazz Band. East Juniata educators Mr. Kevin Milliken, Ms. Andrea Rygel and Mrs. Rebecca Smith are also members, as is Mrs. Catie Durst, who is a frequent substitute teacher at the school. The band is conducted by Mr. Brent Snyder, who is also an EJ faculty member, as he is assisting with the chorus this year.

A former East Juniata music educator, Mr. Gene Hoffmaster, who retired from his position at the school several years ago, is assistant conductor of the Greenwood Band, and the band membership also includes several EJHS alumni.

Membership in the band is open to all instrumental musicians, regardless of where they reside, and residents of eight Pennsylvania counties travel weekly to Greenwood High School between May and October of each year to practice. In addition to the fall concert, the band performs each year at various locations and events in Juniata and Perry counties, including an annual appearance at the Fayette Community Carnival in McAlisterville, where they often share billing with the East Juniata Senior High Jazz Band. A few musicians don both their blue Greenwood band shirts and their EJ Jazz Band black on that night for dual performances

  The Greenwood Community Band was originally formed so that student musicians could continue being members of an ensemble even after graduating high school, so hopefully, these East Juniata musicians continue to play in this group for many years to come!