Rediscover a Piece of San Angeloan Music History at Fort Concho

 

SAN ANGELO, TX – Fort Concho, one of San Angelo’s most charming historic sites, has been under construction for the past year. The result: Fort Concho now has a new post bandstand.

LIVE! reported in an earlier article that the original post bandstand was constructed in the mid-1880s. Concerts and ceremonies were held there until the fort closed in 1889. The ruins of the structure remained on site until the early 1900s. This week, it was announced that Fort Concho has completed its construction of a replica bandstand. Fort Concho will hold the dedication ceremony for its newest addition on Tuesday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m.

According to a press release, the construction of a replica bandstand was brought to the table 15 years ago, in 2001. Since then, Greg Stephens, a Fort Concho Board Member, has coordinated donated labor from the Home Builders Association of San Angelo and has accepted and allocated donated building materials and generous monetary donations. Major funding for the construction of the replica came from the Fort Concho Foundation, the late Van Carson – a former member of the Fort Concho Foundation Board, as well as the late Lowell Stephens of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Mr. Greg Stephens believes that this new replica “fulfills a goal set by the board years ago.” For Stephens, the “bandstand will be a signature addition to the fort’s ever-improving appearance;" the ultimate goal of the Fort Concho Foundation is the full restoration of the fort, noted the release.

The dedication of the new structure will feature an artillery salute from the fort’s living history unit and a bagpipe performance by Chris Morgan. The Ice House Brass will have the honor of playing the first music on this new bandstand. During this year’s Christmas at Old Fort Concho, to be held from December 2 - 4, 2016, many performances will be featured on the new bandstand. The new bandstand is located on the west end of the Parade Ground near South Oakes Street and East Avenue D.

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