Did you know that the Minneapolis Police Band was formed in 1917 by Mayor George Leach and and its first Band Director, Arthur Bolte, who served in that capacity until 1922?
The band’s first performance was in the Armistice Day Parade in November, 1918.
During its first two years, the band was composed of police officers only. In 1919, civilian members were invited to join the ranks, and in 1969 the first women were admitted. Today the band members include active and retired officers and civilians.
In 2006 the Minneapolis Police Band was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.
The Minneapolis Police Band consists of a concert band, a marching band and a swing band. The bands perform at 30 to 35 concerts per year.
The marching band has been the official escort band for the Minneapolis Aquatennial Parade since the parade began in 1940.
The 17-piece Minneapolis Police Swing Band has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years with the nostalgic songs of the big band era. It has performed at many local events, as well as in Winnipeg, Milwaukee, and Cleveland.