A 1960 newspaper photograph of the Pine Grove Marimba Band, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
The caption reads:
WE’RE ALL READY — These are the six members of the Pine Grove Marimba Band that will appear on the Atlantic City Steel Pier, August 14 to August 20 [1960]. From left to right are: Jeffrey Sharon; Eileen Miller; Barbara Bligan; Rosalie Aungst; Leona Bowen; and Gail Ann Kreichbaum.
The accompanying article:
THEY’LL PLAY AT STEEL PIER
By Carolyn Owens
Early Saturday morning, six members of Pine Grove Marimba Band will leave for Atlantic City Steel Pier, where they will appear twice a day for one week, August 14 to 20.
Early Saturday morning, six members of Pine Grove Marimba Band will leave for Atlantic City Steel Pier, where they will appear twice a day for one week, August 14 to 20.
Dressed in colorful costumes of gold, red, black and green, they will present a Mexican routine on the marimbas, accompanied by Jeffrey Sharon on the bongos, and Eileen Miller and Rosalie Aungst on the maracas.
In addition to their performance on the Steel Pier, they will also appear on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour some time in the near future.
Began Three Years Ago
The group, ranging in ages from eight to eighteen, had their start three years ago, when they first appeared in twos or threes at local banquets and gatherings. Under the direction of Mrs. Pearl Kreichbum, their instructress, the group grew to a membership of 10, with understudies for each of the musicians.
As their popularity increased, they began playing not only locally, but at many out-of-town affairs.
In 1958, the band appeared at the Gratz fair and took first place. In 1959, they were the sole entertainment for the Men’s Federation of Bible Class Convention, which took place in Pottsville at the Capitol Theatre. Each year the group puts on a show of their own at the Veterans Hospital in Lebanon.
Play Mexican Music
Most of the band’s routines are either Hawaiian or Mexican, with an overlapping of South American melodies, since the marimba is originally a Peruvian instrument. A few of their songs originate from the Congo. These arrangements are brightened by the use of bongo drums and maracas.
Old standards are also done by the band, with vocal and dance variations. In answer to public demand, the group does a number of hymns, marches and cowboys ballads, but rock and roll is banned.
Several of the members have appeared individually on television and radio and almost all of them are advanced music students.
After the band finishes its Atlantic City appearance, preparations for the Ted Mack Amateur Hour will begin.
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Article and photo from Pottsville Republican August 12, 1960, obtained via Newspapers.com.
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