As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series for April, Joel J. Fleck, Jr. will give an historical talk about the History of the Westfield Community Band, which has been in existence for 128 years, on April 7, 2021 at 12:00 noon. This will be a live and interactive virtual event. Guests will enjoy their own lunch, in place, while watching Joel’s live presentation. Instructions and the link to the event will be sent to all paid registered guests. For anyone who may not be familiar with Zoom meetings, the Society is happy to set up a tutorial session on how to participate in a Zoom presentation with the Westfield Historical Society. Just call or email if interested in this tutorial.
Mr. Fleck’s talk will present a brief history of one of the oldest active community concert bands in the United States, the Westfield Concert Band. In the US, community bands in the late 19th century were a direct outgrowth of the more than 500 military bands within the Union Army. Best records indication that a community band has existed in Westfield since 1892.
Actively involved in musical performance for more than 50 years, Joel J. Fleck, Jr. has performed throughout the country with a wide variety of ensembles including orchestras, community bands, American Legion bands, symphonic and collegiate marching bands. A member of the Westfield Concert Band for more than 30 years, Joel is Vice-President of the band and also leads the band’s low brass Tuba/Euphonium choir. Joel is retired from Hewlett-Packard, where he served as Chief Architect for Cloud Architecture and Standards. Joel resides in Westfield with his wife.
Those wishing to attend the luncheon may make a reservation by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, before Monday, April 5th. The virtual presentation fee of $10 (WHS members) or $15 (non-members) should be paid in advance (check payable to Westfield Historical Society) by mailing to Westfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 613, Westfield, NJ 07091; by Venmo to @Westfield-HistoricalSociety; or, online here by clicking on the “Registration” tab at the top of this page. Payments should be received by Monday prior to the luncheon.
The Westfield Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs.
