Twin Rose Community Band

Located in Wrightsville, PA

header photo

History of the Band

Organized in 2014, the Twin Rose Community Band can trace its beginnings back into the 19th century.  The band was originally known as the Long Level Band, which grew from the Long Level Cornet Band, which was organized in the late 1880s.  he Long Level community is located along the lower Susquehanna River in York county.  From 1987 until March 2014, the band was known as the Columbia VFW Band.


Through the years, the band has had numerous locations to call home.  From a one room school house on the East Prospect Road, the American Legion Post, in an Ambulance hall in Wrightsville, to the East Prospect Community Hall in East Prospect, PA.


As the band was searching for a better location, Mr. Clyde Kraft, a prominent businessman, and Commander of the Red Rose Memorial VFW post #2435 of Columbia, offered the Post facilities to the band.  The band moved into the Columbia facility in June of 1987.  The director of the band at that time was George Bradshaw Jr., a Music Education major at Mansfield University.  To keep the band active over the winter months while George was in school, the band acquired the services of Harry Miller of Washington Boro to serve as Assistant Band Director.


From 1993 to 1995 the band was under the direction of Mr. Richard Powell.  Mr. Powell is currently retired from the Eastern School District where he taught music for over 30 years.  Mr. Powell graduated from Lebanon Valley College, and completed graduate studies at Temple University.  Prior to his teaching career, he played 4 years with the United States Navy Band, stationed in Washington D.C.   Mr. Powell was also a playing member of the Columbia VFW Band as well as the former Long Level Band.


Since 1995,  the band has been under the direction of Mr. George Bradshaw.  Mr. Bradshaw is a holds a Master's in Music education from Duquesne University where he studied trumpet under Dr. Michael Galloway and wind conducting under Mr. Donald Stanley.  Mr. Bradshaw also holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Mansfield University.  In addition to conducting the Twin Rose Community Band, Mr. Bradshaw is the Director of Bands for the Dover area High School.