Lehighton Band celebrated its 150th anniversary by presenting a concert that featured sounds from 1864 to the present.

The concert, held Thursday in the Lehighton Park Amphitheater, attracted an estimated 200 people.The same show will be given by the band at 7 p.m. Sunday in Eurana Park, Weatherly.Paul Smith, who has been director of the band for the past 49 years, led the musicians in a wide variety of music, including show tunes, classical numbers, pop hits, military songs and marches.There were several special presentations made in conjunction with the anniversary.State Rep. Doyle Heffley presented a proclamation from the state House of Representatives.Band member Barry Gangwer of Weatherly read a proclamation from state Sen. Pat Toomey.Henry Long, president of the Lehighton United Veterans Organization, gave a check to the band from the UVO for $200.When Heffley made his presentation, he mentioned members who he knew personally, including schoolteachers and former county officials.He told the audience, "It's not just a band, but members of the community who inspire all of us."About 35 members of the band performed in the tree-shaded venue, with the weather being ideal clear and in the 70s.Several soloists were featured in the concert.Joseph Plechavy of Palmerton was featured as a trombone soloist for the 1930s classic "Blue Moon."Michael Reph and Chris Short played the fluegelhorns for the 1870s number "The Lost Chord."A highlight was the playing of the national anthem, which featured vocalists Laura Cressley, Laurel Seemiller, Brandon Cressley and Kevin Seemiller.The Lehighton UVO Color Guard kicked off the program with the presentation of the colors.The music portion opened with the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," representing a song from the 1860s.There were several medleys including "The Homefront: Musical Memories from World War II," "The Soulful Sixties," "Selections from Annie" and "Highlights from Frozen."The two-hour event concluded with the stirring "National Emblem March."