The Rohrersville Cornet Band was organized in 1837 as McCoy's Cornet Band and is Maryland's oldest community band in continuous existence. The band was founded by Washington McCoy. McCoy worked on the C&O Canal and in later years operated his own marble cutting business in Rohrersville. He was also an accomplished E-flat clarinet player and the band's director for much of the 1800's.
The band was inactive during the chaotic days of the Civil War, when two of McCoy's own sons served as fifer and drummer boys in the Union Army. In 1882 the band adopted a new constitution and changed its name to the Rohrersville Cornet Band. The band was incorporated in the State of Maryland in 1894, and revised its certificate in 1915 to own real estate. This action permitted the band to build its own hall. In 1916, the corner stone for the band hall was laid on the very ground that had been occupied by McCoy & Sons' marble company. The hall is a significant part of the Rohrersville Historical District. Today the band hall is within a stone's throw of the church cemetery where Washington McCoy is buried, perhaps still keeping an eye on the band's activities.
In the 1800's, community bands were one of the few forms of entertainment available to the average citizen. In those days, the Rohrersville Band played as often as four times a week, limited only by the available modes of transportation. At that time, there were thousands of community bands throughout the United States. Each town or burg had its own musical group, sometimes only five or six strong. With Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877, technology slowly replaced the town band as premiere entertainment source. As the movies and radio, followed by television and now computer systems vie to entertain us during our free time, the town band has all but disappeared. But there is still a need for the community band.
Today, the Rohrersville Band provides the same service to the public that it always has. Sunday concerts in the park and at nursing homes, patriotic events, and festivals are coupled with parades to make up the largest share of the band's performances, which average 30 each year. Further, the band holds approximately 45 rehearsals during February to December, and offers seasonal concerts in the band hall. The band plays a variety of music dating from the 19th Century up to modern show tunes. The band hall also houses a pictorial history of the band and a memorabilia case with band instruments, uniforms, and other items from the past. Since the late 1890's the band has had only six leaders. Mr. Richard Haynes for over 44 years as band director. Mr. Reginald Norris is no longer with us, was president and played with the band from 1937.
Band membership is open to anyone with the desire to play. The age of active band members range from preteen to the 80's, and it is not unusual to have three generations from one family playing in the band at the same time. The band is always looking for new musicians and encourages those interested to drop by the Band Hall in downtown Rohrersville 7:15 p.m. Tuesday nights for practice. The band extends a special invitation to young musicians who would like the challenge of new music and an opportunity to practice over the summer months. Young members or older members returning to music after years of not playing are welcome to participate in rehearsals until their skills mature or return. .

This is a copy of an article that was written 1906 by Lillie C. Thomas
The original was with papers given to the band Dec. 12, 1993 by Charles Huffman. They would have been part of the Paul & Ethel Haynes papers.
Mr. Washington McCoy.
Mr. Washington McCoy of Rohrersville Md. Now dead about nine years, was a very good and useful citizen in his day. In 1837 then a young man, he organized a band known as Rohrersville Cornett band, which he directed for many years and through his efforts, it was brought up to a high state of efficiency. He was a very fine musician and understood harmony thoroughly. After seeing the air of a piece of music he could write out all other parts which he did on many occasions. He would send to the publisher, for one leading part of the piece, and then he would compose all other parts from that. He also taught vocal music. He took great interest in music and was anxious to teach it to others, and has been known to teach all winter without making any charge. My Father went two terms to Mr. McCoy and all the people about his age or older are indebted to the grand old man, for what they know about music. Mr. McCoy had a very good memory he could give an interesting account of everything that happened in his younger days. He carried on marble works in Rohrersville for many years and many a spall of marble flew from his chisel. The grave-yards and cemeteries of this valley contain many pieces of his work which are monuments to his genius. He was a good, true, honest, citizen and an excellent neighbor and we drop a tear to his memory.
L. C. T. Lillie C. Thomas