The Southern Maryland Concert Band (SMCB), founded in 1984, is an all-volunteer, non-profit ensemble of adult and student musicians dedicated to performing high-quality concert band music for audiences across Southern Maryland.

Our founder, Charles Armstrong, a former Supervisor of Music and longtime band director in Charles County Public Schools, envisioned reviving the American tradition of community bands in Southern Maryland. During the golden age of bands—from the mid-1800s to the 1920s—many communities had their own volunteer ensembles. With no radio or recordings available during most of this era, the town band was often the primary source of musical entertainment, performing in local bandstands on Sunday afternoons. Occasionally, large professional bands would visit, sometimes featuring up to 2,000 instrumentalists and 20,000 vocalists, bringing great excitement to these towns. This tradition reached its height at the turn of the century with the rise of John Philip Sousa, the “March King,” and his famous touring ensemble, “The Sousa Band.”

Inspired by this history, Armstrong founded the “Community Concert Band, Inc.” in 1984 by reaching out to former students from his 25 years of teaching. In 1985, the group was renamed the “Southern Maryland Concert Band” to reflect the broader geographic diversity of its members and performance locations throughout the region.

Since its inception, the SMCB has been based in Charles County and has performed a variety of formal and informal concerts. We are proud to be the only community-based instrumental ensemble dedicated to offering affordable, high-quality music for families in Southern Maryland. In addition to formal performances, we regularly present community concerts at fairs, festivals, historical celebrations, and special events throughout the year. Our band embraces a challenging and diverse repertoire, and we rehearse diligently to deliver the best musical experience possible.

The SMCB brings together musicians of all levels—from high school students with limited performance experience to retirees who have played with military bands. This unique blend of talent creates a dynamic learning environment that enriches the musicianship of all our members.