The Shelburne Falls Military Band Concerts. All concerts are FREE to the public! Bring a lawn chair and some spare change for refreshments. We also perform at various events throughout the summer. The Shelburne Falls Military Band began in the fall of 1835 when three farm boys, Martin Merrill, Jonathan Nims and Solomon. Merrill, bartered for 2 old clarinets and an old five keyed bugle. By the spring of 1836 they had learned eight tunes and added another clarinet and a bass drum to their number. In May of 1836, the bans was hired by the Heath Rifle Company to play for their May training. Each member of the band received the round sum of one dollar. The Shelburne Falls Military Band has been operating continually, since those early days making it one of the longest continually operating military bands in the United States. They continued playing through the Civil War, World War One, Great Depression, the Second World War, Vietnam, and past the turn of the millennium. Their members come from all over Franklin County Massachusetts – and beyond – and are dedicated to keeping alive this New England tradition
