Maine Memory Network

Portland Municipal Orchestra, ca. 1928

Contributed by: Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Date: circa 1928 Location: Portland Media: Photographic print

West School orchestra, Portland, ca. 1925

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1925 Location: Portland Media: Photographic print

Hermann Kotzschmar: Portland's Musical Genius

During the second half of the 19th century, "Hermann Kotzschmar" was a familiar household name in Portland. He spent 59 years in his adopted city as a teacher, choral conductor, concert artist, and church organist.

Strike Up the Band

Before the era of recorded music and radio, nearly every community had a band that played at parades and other civic events. Fire departments had bands, military units had bands, theaters had bands. Band music was everywhere.

New Portland: Bridging the Past to the Future - New Portland: Bridging the Past to the Future

"New Portland had many orchestras, the first dating in the late 1800’s. May baskets were hung on doors every single year."

New Portland: Bridging the Past to the Future - North New Portland Village

"New Portland seems to have a rich musical history. Most of the members of these bands and orchestras lived in the North Village."