The 2020 season of the Washington Municipal Band has officially been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. The Municipal Band Board met on the Central Park Bandstand and voted to cancel the season.

President Dr. Paul Towner says there is disappointment, but they are following the examples of many other bands in the state. He explains there would be difficulties in trying to maintain social distancing while both rehearsing and performing, as well as finding a rehearsal space large enough to accommodate the group. Towner adds there were concerns for the audience to also follow social distancing guidelines. He says many of the band members and audience members alike are in the high-risk group for the novel coronavirus.

This summer would have been the band’s 89th season. The band is looking forward to performances in Central Park next year.