The Brass Firemen are scheduled for a full concert season this summer. Photo submitted.
NORWOOD — The Norwood Volunteer Fire Department Band, known to all as the Norwood Brass Firemen, have announced its 2023 schedule to the general public. After almost two seasons without concerts during COVID, this year the local iconic band is extending its celebration of 75 years of entertaining the North Country.
Since 1946, the band has entertained the North Country at parades, concerts and community events, with its unique selections of old-time popular and country songs, march tunes and “North Countrified” Dixieland jazz.
Over the years, the Norwood Band has always been an eclectic group. Many members have been (and are) trained musicians, teachers, performers in other bands and music students. But many others are (and have been) strictly avocational musicians. Over the years, the Brass Firemen has featured shop owners, welders, carpenters, salesmen, electricians, school psychologists, college faculty, lawyers, and many others among its members.
The band has played in the winter olympic games in former Yugoslavia, the White House lawn, Presidential inauguration parades, the Indianapolis 500, and other unique and memorable events.
The 77th season of the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department Band will feature a mix of parades, concerts, and combinations of the two, as the band often breaks into a lively set after crossing the disbanding area at a parade.
On Memorial Day weekend, you can catch the Brass Firemen in Champlain, New York for the annual St. Mary’s Parade, and at Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in Norfolk and Norwood May 29.
In June, the “Boys from Norwood” will attend the Northern NY Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention parade in West Carthage on June 3, and the Eastern Ontario Firefighters Games parade in Cardinal, Ontario, on June 17.
The band’s season kicks into high gear in July, where the Brass Firemen can be seen at the Village of Norwood’s annual Independence Day celebration July 3-4, in concert for the Massena Moose Lodge and the Massena Fire Department July 8, at Ives Park in Potsdam July 13 for the Potsdam Rescue Squad, and a “flotilla” concert on Higley Flow July 16.
August will see Norwood Brass Band performances in support of the Norfolk Bicentennial celebration, the Waddington Homecoming parade, and continuing its long-time relationship with the Norwood Village Green Concert Series on Thursday, Aug. 10.
To view its full schedule with more detail, subscribe to the band’s public calendar at norwoodbrassfiremen.com, or visit their Facebook page to view scheduled events.
Info: [email protected] .
