The 78th Army Band returns Wednesday night at 7 to Sanatoga Park for its second annual performance as part of the Lower Pottsgrove summer concert series

SANATOGA PA – When the U.S. Army Reserve’s 78th Army Band arrives Wednesday (July 11, 2012) for its second annual performance beneath the band shell at Sanatoga Park on South Sanatoga Road, it may look and sound like the same unit of talented musicians who played here last year. For the most part, it is. And yet, it isn’t.

First Sergeant Tim Pawlik retires

The band earlier this year said farewell to a long-time leader, First Sergeant Tim Pawlik, who in February retired after 27 years of service in the National Guard and Army Reserve, including time as acting commander of the 307th and 78th Army Bands. Pawlik received a Meritorious Service Medal, as well as certificates of appreciation signed by President Barack Obama and the chief of the Army Reserve.

Now SFC Trevor Sanders has stepped in as Pawlik’s successor for the band, based at Fort Dix NJ. He and its commander, Warrant Officer Eric Flowers, are set to ensure Lower Pottsgrove residents and their guests have an enjoyable time during the third of eight shows scheduled for the township’s summer concert series.

Band members broke out into a jazz ensemble last year for some foot-stompin’ music

Lower Pottsgrove’s introduction to the 78th Army Band last year was an overwhelming success, with hundreds of township residents and others from Pottstown, Limerick and New Hanover in attendance. Band members remember that welcome, too; they’ve been trumpeting their return here on social media platforms for several days.

Their performance is sponsored by Exelon Nuclear.

Other concerts remaining in the series include:

• July 15 (Sunday), with “730 Club,” for soft rock, classic alternative, jazz, rock, R-and-B and pop;
• July 22, “Hat Trixx,” with music of the late 60s and early 70s
• July 29, “Zydeco-A-Go-Go,” for Creole zydeco and cajun two-steps, combined with a funky New Orleans rhythm and blues;
• Aug. 5, “The Paisley Pickles,” presenting a high energy, interactive children’s concert; and
• Aug. 12, the Pottsgrove Community Band, the series’ perennial season-closing act.

Scheduled programs are weather-dependent. If rain threatens a concert, it will be re-scheduled for 7 p.m. on the following day. To find out if an event must be rescheduled, check the home page of the township website, send an e-mail to aelliott@lowerpottsgrove.org, or call (610) 960-1314 after 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

Bottom photo by Billy Worrell; center photo from the 78th Army Band