John Walter Cape Community Band Celebrates 17th Anniversary

The John Walter Band, celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, is devoted to those among us who have music as a vocation – whether as a profession or just as a serious hobby. It was started by John Walter, who wanted to provide an outlet for musicians to get together on a regular basis and to express themselves musically and have fun.
John Walter was the musical director of the Whitehall School District, a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania, for many years until he retired to Avalon Manor. On March 5, 1996, missing his music, Mr. Walter placed an advertisement in the local newspapers inviting musicians who would like to get together and play for fun to a meeting. Thirty-five musicians showed up for the meeting. This group became the nucleus of the Middle Township Community Band. Since its humble beginnings, it has grown into an organization that can be taken seriously.
Since 2007, the John Walter Cape Community Band is honored to have one of the most talented musicians on the East Coast as our Director and Conductor – Richard P. Ludwig, affectionately known as “Dutch” to his friends. “Dutch” has had a long and varied successful career as an Educator, a Band Director, a Professional Musician (Trumpeter), a Theater Manager, as well as a continuing position as a Professional Music Adjudicator for the National Judges Association, a position he has held for over thirty years.
During the off-season, our band practices on Tuesday nights in Cape May Court House. We play concerts throughout the year for interested communities, organizations and groups. We are always looking for musicians who would like to join our band for a great experience and fun. If interested, please contact Anthony Costanzo at 609-898-0589.
The John Walter Band will perform a free Christmas Concert at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 15 at 3 PM.