ACTIVITIES at the ELKS LODGE
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San Mateo Elks Concert Band

San Mateo Elks Band Plays
for Flag Day

The band, several San Mateo Elks officers and many wives made our annual trek to the VA Home in Yountville for the annual Flag Day Ceremony on Saturday, June 9. Coffee, orange juice and donuts were served on the way up, and we were treated to the cookout lunch after the ceremony. The ceremony was very moving, as always, and we received many compliments on our participation. This is an event that we all enjoy playing for. We then played for the San Mateo Elks Lodge Flag Day Ceremony on Sunday, June 10. That ceremony was also inspiring and an honor to participate in. Our next performance will be on Saturday, June 23, at the VA Center in Menlo Park.

In 1958, three San Mateo Elks Lodge members advance the idea of forming a band to play for Lodge events. Two of the three members were accomplished musicians, having been members of the U.S. Army band. The first rehearsal of the newly formed Elks band was held in a maintenance shop at the Lodge in 1959. Not long thereafter, the band contained about fifteen members and played at the Elks State Convention in Sacramento.

On of the things that makes the San Mateo Elks Lodge, located in San Mateo, California, such an outstanding organization is its concert band, which now consists of approximately 25 talented musicians. Under the direction of James Langdell, this band performs not only for Elks functions, but also for various civic, charitable, and community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including VA Hospitals, the California Veterans Home in Yountville, Senior Centers, and community festivals and parades. It plays a variety of music including military marches and patriotic songs, Broadway tunes, oldies but goodies, rock and roll, and light classics. For several years now, it has enjoyed performing at the College of San Mateo graduation ceremonies. In 2005, it played at the Elks National Convention in Reno, Nevada.

In addition to the concert band, the band also has a Dixieland Band, consisting of about 12 members, which plays at several events throughout the year.
For information about booking the band, you may contact Walter Janssen, Band Manager, at San Mateo Elks Lodge.