ACB History

The Asheville Community Band was organized in October, 1979 as a concert band for musicians of all ages and professions. Now composed of over ninety musicians, this wind band truly represents Western North Carolina with members representing six counties. The all-volunteer band ranges in age from high school to octogenarian and is a 501(c)3 organization. Their mission is to support music education and the proud tradition of community bands and symphonic band music across America, and have a great time together doing so.

Over its rich history the band has performed across Western North Carolina, and in Hawaii, Germany, and Austria. The Band has also performed at two American School Band Directors’ Association National Conventions, for the Women’s Band Directors’ National Association Convention, and twice for NCBA at state convention.

Director Emeritus, Patricia L. Garren, was the band’s founder and she conducted the band for seventeen years. In 1996 the baton was passed to our present director, Michael L. Robinson. Will Talley, the band’s assistant director, plays tuba with the band.

In 1997 a scholarship program was started by the Asheville Community Band to encourage and aid college students majoring in instrumental music education. Since then the band has presented over thirty three $1,000.00 college scholarships. In 2011, the band added two summer band camp scholarships for middle and high school students in addition to the college awards.