A BRIEF HISTORY OF S.E.M.S.B.A.

The Southeastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association (SEMSBA) was established in 1950 by Donald F. Leach of Whitman, Myron B. Thomas of Hingham, George W. Ventre of Weymouth, and Luther Churchill of East Bridgewater. SEMSBA purported to raise the standard of school band music, as well as to promote greater community interest in school band programs. It was through the leadership of these men that standards of high musical quality have given the pupils of participating towns the opportunity to come together to experience the enjoyment of performing some of the world's best musical literature.

The first SEMSBA concert (band only) was held on February 28, 1953. The first Festival Chorus performed in 1957, and the first Senior Festival Orchestra performed in 1980.

Presently 30 high schools and their associated junior high/middle schools participate in SEMSBA. They are Abington, Apponequet, Braintree, Bridgewater-Raynham, Cohasset, Dighton-Rehoboth, Carver, East Bridgewater, Fairhaven, Fall River, Hanover, Hingham, Holbrook, Mansfield, Marshfield, Middleborough, Milton, Norton, Norwell, Oliver Ames (Easton), Plymouth North, Plymouth South, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Sharon, Silver Lake, Stoughton, Walpole, and Whitman-Hanson.