1947
Sept. – The Mothers’ Club operated the stadium concession stands for the first time on Sept. 20.
The evening before, “a pep meeting was held at 7:30 pm in the Band Room. The women of the Club, also the hustlers
intending to help at the concession present. The President, Mrs. Bischoff, distributed health certificates to the women
and gave instructions about their various duties.”
Nov. – “As this is [Mr. Ricapito’s] Silver Anniversary year, it was decided to
buy him a gift of silver for Christmas with an inscription on it from the Mothers’ Club.”
1948
Jan. – Our students received a special invitation form the League of Composers to attend a surprise
testimonial concert at Carnegie Hall for Edwin Franko Goldman’s 70th birthday. 117 people attended the Sunday, January 3rd
concert in New York City.
April – Guest Conductor, Band – Edwin Franko Goldman
May -Sponsorship of Band and Orchestra members to
attend Detroit Symphony at Grace Hall, Lehigh University.
June – Liberty H.S. Band is honored by Edwin Franko Goldman and the Goldman Band in Central Park, NYC.
A Globe-times article reads: “Dr. Goldman welcomed the group during the program and told the New York audience about his trips
to Bethlehem an how splendidly the Liberty Band performs. Goldman’s band presented “On the Mall,” one of
Goldman’s own compositions which is a favorite at Liberty.”
Sept. – “The Band will play at all professional football games and is celebrating its 25th anniversary
this year.” [Bethlehem had its own pro-team, the “Bulldogs”.]
Oct. – Band performs for the Pennsylvania School Teachers’ Association.
Dec. – The Minutes from the meeting indicate that one of the selections for that evening’s entertainment
was a “clarinet duet” performed by LHS students “Ronald Sherry and Peggy Frudenberger.”
1949
Jan. – Band marches in Jan. 20th Inaugural Parade for President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C.
This was the first inaugural parade ever televised, with an audience of over 10 million in 14 major cities throughout the U.S.
– more viewers than all previous ones combined. Realizing this, Truman had 700 military aircraft fly over the parade route.
No wonder Ron Sherry, who marched in the parade as a student (right guide, clarinet) recalls it as “quite exciting” (of course,
the band’s trip via train might have something to do with this, too)! (photo: World Wide Photo)
April – LHS Band 25th Anniversary Concert – A Globe-Times article reports: “A
capacity audience heard the Liberty High School Band in its 25th anniversary band concert last evening.
Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman, honorary life conductor and director of the Goldman Band, made his 15th appearance as guest conductor.”
– Sponsorship of Band and Orchestra members to attend Rochester Philharmonic at Grace
Hall, Lehigh University. (orchestra photo: Miniphot Studio)
Nov. – Minutes indicate that, for entertainment, LHS student “Ronald Sherry played ‘Lucy Long’ on the bassoon.
Then Dick Kelly, Fred Dunlop, and Ronald Sherry as a trio played their version of the ‘Missouri Waltz.’
The program was greatly enjoyed by everyone and we can feel very proud of our young folks.”
1950
Feb. – LHS student Ron Sherry, bassoonist, makes All-State-Band. (photo: Globe-Times)
April – Guest Conductor, Band – Edwin Franko Goldman
1951
Feb. – Liberty High School hosts PMEA “Eastern District High School Band” Edwin Franko Goldman, Guest conductor.
[This has since been renamed “Region Band” by PMEA]
April – Premier appearance of new uniforms at Band concert.
1953
April – Guest Conductor, Band – Edwin Franko Goldman
1954
April – Guest Conductor, Band – Edwin Franko Goldman
Sept. – “Mr. Ricapito gave us an outline of activities. for the early part of the year:
Sept. 22 – Ground breaking for the ‘Tech High School’ [now Lab Center], Oct. 4 Community Chest kicking off,
Oct. 9 – Hershey Game, Oct. 30 – Halloween Parade. plus playing for all home games.”
1955
Sept. – “Mr. Ricapito took us on a tour of the new gymnasium where the music department is located and showed
us the facilities available to students. [He] indicated that the Band would broadcast from the Band Room on Friday afternoon,
Sept. 23, at 1:30 PM.” The new facilities came complete with a radio booth (presently our ‘Bagpipe Room’). Not only did the Band
get a new home, but also new uniforms; however, this didn’t go quite as smoothly. “For the first football game on Sept. 16, several
of the new members will be without uniforms because the firm supplying them had their stock damaged by flood waters.”