Frank Cosenza, director of the Lakeland Community College Civic Band, took part in a solemn and moving ceremony in Gettysburg National Cemetery Aug. 18, 2022. Cosenza performed taps, the bugle call for “lights out,” at the Soldiers’ National Monument as part of "One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg."

In its sixth year, "One Hundred Nights of Taps, Gettysburg" honors the fallen laid to rest at Gettysburg National Cemetery. Beginning on Memorial Day, taps is played nightly through Labor Day. The program was conceived by Wendy Allen and patterned after a similar program “Sounding The Last Post,” in Belgium. The Gettysburg program is co-sponsored by The Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and Gettysburg National Military Park.

Cosenza became aware of this opportunity through two different organizations, TAPS FOR VETERANS and 100 Nights of Taps.

“It was an honor for me to take part in a ceremony honoring those that gave their life in the Civil War,” said Cosenza. “The thought of standing a few feet from where Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address was humbling, and the audience I played for was respectful and appreciative.”

ABOUT THE LAKELAND CIVIC BAND
The Lakeland Civic Band provides an opportunity for instrumentalists from the area to perform band literature of the highest quality. Its membership is drawn from Lakeland students, talented high school players, school music teachers and directors, and community musicians who are selected by audition.

In addition to concerts at Lakeland each fall and spring, the band also performs at various venues and often includes a summer concert series. The band has performed at area high schools and universities; national, state and regional conferences and conventions; Severance Hall and the Chautauqua Institute. The band has invited a variety of illustrious guest conductors and artists and has featured several of its members as soloists. The Lakeland Civic Band received the Sudler Silver Scroll Award presented by the Sousa Foundation in recognition of musical excellence and service to the community.

Those interested in participating in the summer edition of the Lakeland Civic Band can email director Frank Cosenza at fcosenza1@lakelandcc.edu.

By: Adam Continenza, Mktg and Communications Spclst