The Jaffa Shrine

Jaffa Shrine Band
Text from 100th Anniversary Book

The Jaffa Shrine Band has a long, colorful, and illustrious past. In the fall of 1909 a group of men met at the Jaffa Temple then located at Chestnut Avenue and 7th Street. They formed the Jaffa Temple Band, whose first formal appearance was in 1911. The Band consisted of 18 musicians and accompanied the Jaffa Potentate and his Divan to the Imperial Council Session in Rochester, NY. The Band, the Drum and Bugle Corps, the Arab Patrol, and the Legion of honor are the oldest parade units in the Jaffa.

From 1909 until present, The Jaffa Band had a total of 14 directors. The Band’s first leader, Frank A. Hersh, served as director until 1912. He was a member of the architectural firm Hersh & Shollar that designed the Jaffa Mosque.

The current director, Bill Geeting, a resident of Bellefonte, is a retired music and band director from the Bald Eagle Area School District.

The assistant director, Darwin Bistline, a resident of Altoona, is a retired band director, director of music, and currently serves on the school board for the Altoona Area School District.

Band officers for 2003 are: President, Robert Counsman, Jr.; Vice President, John Peters, Jr.; Treasurer, Darrel Cadle; Secretary, Richard Long; Business Manager, Robert Counsman, Jr.; Assistant Business Manager, Bob Hollenbach; Trustees, Robert Skipper, Charles Quinn and Joseph Profeta.

Mid-Atlantic Shrine convention awards won by the band include three First Place Trophies in Philadelphia and Virginia Beach, plus numerous Second and Third Place Awards.
The .Jaffa Band was selected to officially “kick off” the 1976 Blair County Bi-Centennial Program. In 1991, Jaffa Band won 4 awards, including 2nd Place in Concert Competition, 3rd Place in Riding Bands and for their sub-units the German and Jazz Bands.

At present, there are 35 members in the band, residing in over 15 communities throughout central Pennsylvania and several members residing out of state, including Baltimore, Maryland and Sebastian, Florida.

Besides Shrine performances, the present Jaffa Temple Band plays for civic occasions. We participate in parades throughout the local area. We also participate in annual joint concerts with other community bands, such as the Altoona VFW band at Baker Mansion, and concerts with the Blairsville Community Band.

In Spring 2000, the band purchased a new trailer for parades. This trailer has overhead protection to help us survive sudden summer downpours. It also serves as a soundboard to enhance our band’s performances.

We look forward to future success as we proudly participate in the 100th Anniversary events including the Mass Band Concert on Flag Day, June 14, 2003 and the numerous parades.

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Booking the Jaffa

If you are are interested in booking the Jaffa for your next concert or event please contact the main office at 814-949-6205.