American Legion band to perform at historic church

April 6, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Irwin Meyer will conduct the Kings County American Legion Headquarters Band in the April 26 concert. Photo courtesy Friends of Historic New Utrecht

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Veteran conductor Irwin Meyer will lead the Kings County American Legion Headquarters Band in a free concert at the historic New Utrecht Reformed Church in Bensonhurst later this month.

The concert will take place on Sunday, April 26, in the Parish House, a late 19th Century building located on the grounds of the church at 1827 84th St. at 2:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of Historic New Utrecht, a group that works to promote the history of the church and the surrounding community.

The band, which was founded more than 85 years ago, also performed at the New Utrecht Reformed Church last year.

The band members are an eclectic mix, coming from many walks of life, according to the Friends of Historic New Utrecht. The band includes professional musicians, students, mechanics, teachers, police officers and health care professionals.

Over its history, the band has included musicians from the famous John Philip Sousa Band.

Meyer, who is 96 years old, has played in semi-professional symphony orchestras, including the Brooklyn Doctors’ Symphony, where he served as president for several years. He has led the American Legion group for 37 years.

The concert is supported in part by funds from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, City Council members Vincent Gentile and Mark Treyger and the Verizon Foundation.

The free concert program is one in a series of events the Friends of Historic New Utrecht offers each year.

The 1892 Parish House and nearby sanctuary of the church both are historically significant, officially landmarked buildings, according to the Friends group. The church, currently undergoing repair and restoration, was built in 1828.

For more information on the April 26 concert, call 718-256-7173 or email [email protected].