Welcome

Home Page for the WARREN JUNIOR MILITARY BAND Alumni Association

We are a non-profit organization for alumni, parents and friends of the Warren Junior Military Band (WJMB) established in 1927 in Warren, Ohio. Our purpose is to help members connect.

Please see the association's Facebook Facebook page for the most recent updates of what's happening!


Alumni News and Events

Historical Presentation (2017)

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society presented "Bites & Bits of History: A History of Music in the Valley" on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center, 325 W. Federal Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.

From Amadeus to Zhivago and Everything in Between: A History of Music in the Mahoning Valley
Join Janne Hurrelbrink-Bias, Author of "Squire's Warren Junior Military Band" for the monthly Bites & Bits of History lecture.
If ever there was a story to be told of a man who dedicated over 66 years to the musical youth of the Trumbull-Mahoning-Shenango Valley area, it is the story of Donald W. "Squire" Hurrelbrink. The influence Squire had on so many young people, parents, and even audiences was truly remarkable.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
— Mahoning Valley Historical Society
Book: SQUIRE'S WARREN JUNIOR MILITARY BAND by Janne Hurrelbrink-Bias

Book Published (2017)

HERE IT IS, the book entitled
SQUIRE'S WARREN JUNIOR MILITARY BAND
by Janne Hurrelbrink-Bias

If ever there was a story to be told of a man who dedicated over 66 years to the musical youth of the Trumbull-Mahoning-Shenango Valley area, this is it. The book, Squire's Warren Junior Military Band, was published on Monday, October 16, 2017. There are over 125 pictures from basically all the years the band was in existence. The story begins in 1927 and follows through 2010 with concerts, band camps, competitions, parades and performances all over the United States, Canada and Europe. The influence Donald W. "Squire" Hurrelbrink had on so many young people, parents, and even audiences was truly remarkable. Jim Cunningham, Alumni Association President, had the inspiration for the book with Squire's daughter Janne doing the research and gathering of data with assistance from many alumni. The book was truly a labor of love for Squire and all the members through the years. We all hope it will bring smiles as fond memories once again come alive of time spent with Squire and the band.

All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Youngstown State Foundation, the Donald W. "Squire" Hurrelbrink Memorial Scholarship at the Dana School of Music.

Book Announcement Post Card (Address/Back Side)

Book Announcement Post Card (Front Side) Order Form & Instructions

WJMB History Presentation (2016–2017)

In June 2017, Dr. Nancy L. Glen, a professor of Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado (unco.edu), presented her research project describing the history of the Warren Junior Military Band for a national journal and a presentation at an International History of Music Education Conference. This presentation was entitled "Squire's Own: A History of the Warren Junior Military Band".

Dr. Glen, a native of Warren, Ohio, had met with several alumni over an evening on Thursday, May 19th, 2016 who volunteered their memories and thoughts on their membership in the Warren Junior Military Band. Dr. Glen felt that the rest of the world needs to know all about these "gems" which represent the great music education which has gone on, often "under the radar."

Below is her thank you to Janne and the alumni for sharing.

From: Glen, Nancy
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2017 10:09 PM
To: Janne Hurrelbrink-Bias
Subject: WJMB Presentation

Janne,

I wanted you to know I presented my paper and the Power Point Presentation at the Oklahoma City Symposium on the History of Music Education on June 2nd. It was VERY well received, and they all loved the story of your dad and the band. We had a nice discussion and several good questions from the audience after the presentation was over, and several people commented on what a beautiful story it was. The only question I couldn't answer was why your dad decided to call it a "military band," since it hadn't been an offshoot of, or sponsored by a military branch (I imagine they weren't really thinking of the VFW and American Legion as military groups). I said it was most likely the uniform styles and the 6 to 5 military marching style they used. Maybe you know the answer to that. While I was speaking, one of the persons in the audience looked up WJMB on eBay, and found a 1965 vinyl recording of the band for $20.00! You all may want to buy it for the archives. There was also a white nylon jacket from the band, but I can't remember the price.

My presentation was one of three regarding military bands or topics. Before me was a talk on the horse mounted bands throughout history that went into battle with armies, and after mine was a talk on a time when John Phillip Sousa went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center after World War I to train the Navy Bands. They both were really interesting.

I have submitted this same presentation to the National Music Educators National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2018, so I will keep you posted on whether I am accepted. You are very welcome to put a little blurb about the presentation on the WJMB Alumni Facebook page, so the folks I spoke with in Austintown don't think I have abandoned them. More later; thanks so much for all of your help!!

Nancy Glen

WJMB Alumni Band Created (2015)

In 2015, we were excited to create the new "WJMB Alumni Band." Though our performance scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the outdoor Amphitheater in downtown Warren, Ohio was rained out, we all enjoyed playing together again and we sounded fantastic!

We had a few practices at Austintown schools during the prior week or two and were able to get in a rehearsal that Saturday at the amphitheater before the rain poured down. We also had a very enjoyable, though wet, picnic following the rehearsal.

Many thanks to our volunteer director and WJMB alumnus, Jonathan Willis! He provided many, many hours of work to make the alumni band possible!

Watch the WJMB Alumni Association Facebook page for future details!

2015 Alumni Band – Initial Letter
2015 Alumni Band Concert Program Cover & Back
2015 Alumni Band Concert Program Page 2–3 Center

Museum Display Created (2015)

A WJMB history display, including photos, memorabilia and uniforms, has been created in partnership with the historic Kinsman House museum and Friends of the Warren Heritage Center, both located at 303 Mahoning Avenue in Warren, Ohio.

Please take time to visit and view the display which is located on the second floor of The Kinsman House in the back half of the home. The Kinsman House is open on the first Sunday of each month from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Warren Heritage Center
Library of Congress: Judge Frederick Kinsman House

WJMB Display Image 1
WJMB Display Image 2
WJMB Display Image 3
WJMB Display Image 4
WJMB Display Image 5
WJMB Display Image 6
WJMB Display Image 7

WJMB Display at The Kinsman House in downtown Warren Ohio - cabinet display WJMB Display at The Kinsman House in downtown Warren Ohio - banner

Scholarship Created (2014)

Through the Youngstown State University Foundation and the Dana School of Music at YSU, on September 19, 2014, we officially created an endowed fund for the new scholarship named Donald W. "Squire" Hurrelbrink Memorial Scholarship.

Squire's Scholarship Creation at Youngstown State University - Jim Cunningham and Janne Hurrelbrink-Bias Squire's Portrait

Instrument Donation Event (2014)

An instrument donation event was held Saturday, May 3, 2014, 9:00 am at Redex Industries, 1176 Salem Parkway, Salem, OH 44460.

Letter for WJMB Instrument Donation Event

Meeting Minutes, March 29, 2014

The event was very well received and many organizations sent letters and notes of appreciation as many band programs struggle to obtain needed instruments, equipment and supplies. Many thanks to all alumni who were involved. The following organizations attended:

Past Events and Newsletters

A WJMB Alumni Picnic was held on Saturday, July 25th, 2015 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio at 12:00 p.m. Thank you to alumnus Russ Beatty and his wife Tammy for planning and coordinating the always successful annual picnics in Poland, Ohio.

A WJMB Alumni Picnic was held on Saturday, July 19th, 2014 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio at 2:00 p.m.

A WJMB Alumni Picnic was held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio.

A WJMB Alumni Winter Party was held on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at Quaker Steak and Lube, 5800 Interstate Blvd, Austintown at 7:00 p.m.

A WJMB Alumni Picnic was held on Saturday, July 14th, 2012 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio at 2:00 p.m.

A WJMB Alumni Picnic was held on Saturday, June 18th, 2011 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio at 2:00 p.m.

Winter 2011 Party was held January 15, 2011 at Quaker Steak & Lube, Austintown, OH.

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Summer 2010 Picnic was held Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Firemen's Park, Poland, OH.

A "Winter Fling" dinner party was held on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at Quaker Steak & Lube in Austintown, Ohio at 6:30 p.m.

Fall 2009 Newsletter

A WJMB Alumni & Family Picnic was held on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Summer 2009 Scrappers Event was held August 15, 2009.

Spring 2009 Newsletter

A "Winter Fling" banquet was held on January 10th, 2009 at Donavito's Restaurant in Struthers, Ohio. Despite a snow storm that hit the area at that time, it went great for those that were able to attend. Many thanks to alumnus Russ Beatty and his wife Tammy for planning the event and making it a success, as always!

The First Annual Alumni Family Picnic was held on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 at Fireman's Field Park on Riverside Drive in Poland, Ohio from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This was the first official annual picnic hosted by the newly formed WJMB Alumni Association!

Spring 2008 Newsletter

A WJMB Alumni Association Board Meeting during our first organized year was held on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 at the Niles Masonic Center at 22 W. Church St. in Niles, Ohio at 2:00 p.m.