Municipal Band
Our History
The Municipal Band was established in 1935 by 13 musicians, many South Milwaukee High School graduates. By the time the band celebrated its 50th anniversary, its membership had grown to nearly 100. Over the years, the band has traveled extensively, participating in VFW and American Legion conventions around the country, playing at the New York World’s Fair, and performing on original 1860s instruments at the Civil War Centennial celebration in Galena, Illinois. Closer to home, the band has marched in countless parades, including the famous Schlitz Circus Parade and South Milwaukee’s Spectacle of Music.
Present Day
Today, although we are no longer a marching band, the “Muni” Band continues to be quite active. Our year-round performances include supporting the city of South Milwaukee at patriotic events and delighting audiences at area retirement and care facilities, summer outdoor concerts, and other venues. Our repertoire includes marches, patriotic music, Broadway and movie tunes, classical concert band arrangements, and more. The band is comprised of volunteer musicians from South Milwaukee and surrounding communities. Our members represent a wide range of professions, ages, and talents. We are life-long musicians who enjoy sharing our talents with the community. Come join in the fun with the South Milwaukee Municipal Band!
Present Day
Today, although we are no longer a marching band, the “Muni” Band continues to be quite active. Our year-round performances include supporting the city of South Milwaukee at patriotic events and delighting audiences at area retirement and care facilities, summer outdoor concerts, and other venues. Our repertoire includes marches, patriotic music, Broadway and movie tunes, classical concert band arrangements, and more. The band is comprised of volunteer musicians from South Milwaukee and surrounding communities. Our members represent a wide range of professions, ages, and talents. We are life-long musicians who enjoy sharing our talents with the community. Come join in the fun with the South Milwaukee Municipal Band!
Meet the Director
Alexander Brandon first graduated from Carroll University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts- Music, then attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2016-2018 earning his teaching certification for Instrumental and General Music. While in college, he performed multiple instruments in various ensembles such as wind symphony, jazz band, pep band, collegium musicum, and created a saxophone quartet student ensemble.
Alex currently teaches 5th grade band at five of the seven elementary schools in the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District. He also currently serves in the Navy Reserves as an Aviation Maintenance Administration man and occasionally performs for funeral honors and other naval ceremonies.
Join the Band
The South Milwaukee Municipal Band always welcomes new members. Please join us if you play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument. Miss playing your instrument? Dust off the cobwebs and come rehearse with us. All levels of proficiency are welcome; no auditions are required. . Enjoy the fellowship with other musicians while enriching your musical skills. Membership is open to high school students and adults. We’d love to have YOU be a part of our group!
The “Muni” Band (sponsored by the South Milwaukee Recreation Department) rehearses Tuesdays (7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.) in the South Milwaukee Middle School band room (1001 15th Ave., South Milwaukee)
For more information, contact: Jody Daharsh
414-764-6279 jldaharsh@yahoo.com