Each summer since 1984, The Ohio Valley Community Band has been providing musical entertainment across the Pittsburgh area. The Band is both a marching and concert band, unique among today’s community bands.
The Ohio Valley Band is an all-volunteer organization comprised of both professional and amateur musicians from various walks of life. Members include those in education, health care, business, engineering, students and the ever-intrepid retirees. The Band has thirty-six regular members and an eight-member color guard that participate in parades and concerts from Memorial Day through the end of August.
Upon his retirement from teaching music, Frank Bjalobok founded the Ohio Valley Band looking to continue to share his love of music with others. Since then, the Band has performed for community, church and civic organizations in the greater Pittsburgh area. Frank directed the Band until his passing in October 2007. Currently, the Band’s musical director is Drew Podnar, a retired music educator from the Montour School District. The Band’s Advisory Committee plans and coordinates the performances throughout the season.
The 2018 performance season includes the Sewickley and Coraopolis Memorial Day Parades, Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade, Celebrate America at Kennywood Park, the San Rocco Festival at St. Raphael Church in Morningside, and a Veteran’s Tribute Concert at the VFW Post in Coraopolis, whose members generously provide their facilities for the Band’s rehearsal sessions.