Today, the Band has approximately 80 members. The Marching Band also supports a 16 member youth color guard.
The first obligation of the Sanborn Fire Company Band is to support the Sanborn Fire Company. This includes parading with the Fire Company at various events each year as well as a number of concerts on the Fire Company grounds including for many years assisting with the Sanborn Fire Company Field Days. Each year the Band, Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary sponsor a Holiday Concert at the Fire Hall for the Sanborn Community. The Sanborn Fire Company Band is also the official band of the Town of Lewiston (NY).
Although located outside Niagara Falls, New York, the Band has performed throughout New York State, the Northeast, the Midwest and the Mid Atlantic regions of the country as well as Canada. Approximately 25 performances are scheduled each year.
Special honors and performances of the Band are numerous. Concert Honors include 1978 Division 2A Championship at the Canadian National Exposition and in 1980 the International Championship. The Band in 1990, by invitation, performed at the national convention of the American Concert Band Association. In 1996, the Band was invited to perform at Bel Air, Md., in the annual international concert band summer series. The U.S. Navy SEABEES’ National SEABEES Memorial was also dedicated in 1996 and the rededication in 2008. The Band performed in absence of a Navy Band at the dedication ceremony.
1964 saw the Band become the International Champions with “top honors” at the Lions International Convention in Toronto, Canada.
In 1983, 1989, and 1998, the Band participated in the National Independence Day Parade (Washington, DC.). 1983, the appearance was at the invitation of the Department of Interior to represent the National Firefighters of America. The members of the Sanborn Fire Company along with the company’s 1933 American LaFrance pumper participated in the parade. During this event the Band was also invited to perform in concert at the Lincoln Memorial. In 1989, the Band represented New York State in the parade. 1998 again offered the opportunity for the Band, Color Guard and Fire Company to represent New York State and the National Fire Fighters of America in the Parade. As in 1983, the 1933 pumper again made the 1998 trip to Washington.
The Band and Fire Company also participated in the Freedom Festival Parade in 1987. This parade is in Philadelphia around the July 4th Celebration. While in Philadelphia, the Band, at the request of the National Parks Service, was the featured performing group for the July 4th celebration at Independence Mall.
Band has participated in the Football Hall of Fame Festival Parade in Canton, Ohio. (1991, 1993, 2007). This is the second largest parade in the country.
July, 2006 saw the Band participate in the Lake George (NY) Community Band Festival. This event brings noted Community Bands from the Northeast and Canada together in a three day concert festival.
Many times over the years the Sanborn Fire Company Band has been the champions of the Western New York Volunteer Firemen Association and the Firemen Association of the State of New York.
For many years (until the end of the celebration) the Band lead the Festival of Lights parade in Niagara Falls, NY which began the international celebration of the holiday season.
Musical Directors have included:
- Arthur Gombert, 1930 to 1951
- Edison Steig, 1951 to 1966
- Wallace Goodman, 1966 to 2018
- Norman Alexander, 2019 to present
Band Managers have included:
- Elwood Howe
- Daniel Beecher
- Clinton “Sam” Hermanson
- Charles Decker
- K. Gilbert Kroening
- Ronald Ferchen
- Warren Camann, 1970 to 1989
- Mark Banks, 1990 to present
The Band rehearses Monday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 pm (except the last Monday of the month as to not conflict with the Fire Company Meeting). The season runs from March to Early December.