The band practicing at Coleman High School

The Northeastern Wisconsin Concert Band

The N.E.W. Band was founded in the fall of 1993 by retired Marinette band director, Paul Luhring, and his good friend and colleague, David Pelow. Together, the contacted local band directors and known community musicians to generate interest in the musical venture and to spread the word of the newly created concert band. This was to be an adult-only organization open to anyone willing to share their love of music and to give up a few evenings for rehearsals.

By pure luck, the first ensembles had wonderfully balanced instrumentation which continues to this day. The band prepared two concerts each year, on in the fall and another in the spring, with the conducting duties shared by Luhring and Pelow.

During the early years of the band, concerts were held in the communities represented by its members. The band performed in Lena, Peshtigo, Crivitz, Oconto Falls and other surrounding venues. On occasion, the band even performed two concerts in different communities on the same day. Concert attendance proved to be significantly higher when utilizing the auditorium of Marinette High School, and that eventually became the permanent "home" for the N.E.W. Band.

Paul Luhring retired his baton following the 2008 spring concert and conducting duties were then shared by Glen Reinke and Connie Kramer. Upon the passing of Mrs. Kramer, Bob Berndt assumed her conducting duties. Berndt and Reinke share the podium to this date.

The band continues to grow in stature and quality with new members present for each concert. Anyone willing to play can contact members for information.