“The Merion Musical Society began as a symphony orchestra in 1977, but due to the overabundance of wind players who applied for the few positions available it soon branched out to develop the Merion Concert Band. Unfortunately, the director of the Orchestra, Karl Middleman, was not well enough at the time to carry both groups. Thus the Band was off to an indefinite start.

Due to his illness, Mr. Middleman left the position of director at the end of the first year. He was succeeded by Dr. Elliot Levioff who conducted the Orchestra until 1984. He was followed by Rosalind Erwin who served through 1988. The late Jeanne Bell, who also conducted the Rose Tree Pops, conducted the Orchestra until it disbanded. The remaining Orchestra members joined with the new and short-lived Bala Cynwyd Symphony.

The Band did not become a fully viable group until 1979 when Leonard Murphy, bassoonist and instrumental teacher at the Bala Cynwyd Middle School, conducted two concerts (one at Appleford). In the 1980-1981 season, Alex Wilson, a professional trumpeter and instrumental music teacher in Philadelphia, worked with the band presenting several concerts including two at the Bala Cynwyd Library. Mary Culbert, who played French horn in both the Band and the Orchestra and who had taught instrumental music in the Philadelphia public school system, became the conductor in 1981.

The years under Mrs. Culbert have been fruitful. The band has increased in size and repertoire and is now regarded as on the finest concert bands in the area. Soloists with the Band have included some the Band’s own talented musicians as well as professional soloists. Over the years, trumpeter Frank Kaderabek and percussionist Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chestnut Brass Quintet, tubist Jay Krush, trumpeter Barbara Sauer Prugh, trombonist Thomas Elliott, tenors Brian McNeely and Raymond Foose, harpists Walter Pfeil and Mary Ann Coppa, Celtic harpist Mary Tooke, and local choral groups have appeared as guest artists with the Band.

Over the years, the Society has also sponsored a woodwind quintet, a brass quintet, a French horn quartet, a brass ensemble and a harp ensemble.”

Above excerpt from the 20th Anniversary Concert Program, Concert Date: December 21, 1997.

In the spring of 2006, Ms. Culbert announced her intention to retire and at the Band's Fall Concert that year, Ms. Culbert was honored for 25 years of service to the Band.  In 2007, The Merion Concert Band appointed one of its own, Timothy S. Mullen, to the position of Conductor.  Mr. Mullen, who had played clarinet with the Band, received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2004 from Temple University and is a music educator.  After three years leading the Band, Mr. Mullen elected to retire the position due to his move in December 2009 to Coatesville with his wife.