About Us

The Boone Municipal Band is formally organized as an entity of the City of Boone, Iowa under the 1921 Iowa Band Law which permits municipalities to levy a tax to support the activities of a municipal band.

Additionally, the Boone Municipal Band operates as a non-profit organization in the State of Iowa and as a federally-recognized non-profit under IRS Code 501(c)3. Donations made to the band may be tax-deductible, please contact your tax preparer or accountant for details.


Brief History of the Boone Municipal Band from the City of Boone

R.A. Wilder started a band in Boone, Iowa in 1908. In January of 1917, the Wilder Concert Band was renamed the Boone Municipal Band which officially established the organization in 1917. The Herman Park Pavilion, where the band currently performs, was dedicated on July 4, 1917. In 1941, the band incorporated under the Iowa Band Law, a law that made it legal to assess a tax to support a community band. That law was passed in Boone by a vote of the residents. The band continues to be supported financially by the city of Boone. Annually the City dedicates $9,600.

In 1992, the stage was built at the Herman Park Pavilion. Art and Betty Herman donated $10,000 for the building of the stage, which was dedicated on July 4, 1992. One week later the 1st annual Iowa Municipal Band Festival was held at the Pavilion with five bands performing: Ames, Newton, Marshalltown, Hampton and Boone. This band festival is a one-of-a-kind festival in Iowa. Boone was approved by the Iowa Legislature as the host for the Iowa Municipal Band Festival in 1992. 2024 marks the 32nd year of the Festival.

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The Boone Municipal Band was directed by Dave Richardson for 39 years from 1979 to 2017.  On January 1, 2018 Chris Truckenmiller became the  new band director.