The Cressona Band will present a concert in memory of its longtime director, John F. Potlunas.

“He touched so many lives,” said Cressona Band President Caroline Tucci.

And it wasn’t just those who worked with him during his 42 years as the band’s principal conductor.

It was the students he led as band director at schools including Nativity BVM in Pottsville, Williams Valley Junior and Senior High in Tower City, and Tamaqua Area High, from where he retired.

“Everybody called him ‘Mr. P.,’?” Tucci said.

Potlunas died on July 13, 2021. The free concert will be held beginning at 6:45 p.m. July 13 at the Tamaqua Area High School Auditorium.

Tucci and other organizers are hoping people who knew Potlunas will attend. Already, she said, former students and Cressona band members from as far away as Maryland and Missouri said they’ll be there.

So, too, will Potlunas’ daughter Dr. Michquelena “Micki” Potlunas Ferguson, who is assistant director of athletic bands at Penn State University. She will guest conduct one of the selections.

Tamaqua’s band director Mark Beltz will also guest conduct.

“Everywhere he taught, we’re going to have a guest conductor come up,” Tucci said.

Beltz, a member of the Cressona Band, met Potlunas when he was hired in Tamaqua.

“John served as a great role model for me as a teacher. I learned how to be a band director from watching him. His interaction with the students was second to none,” Beltz said. “That definitely showed with his bands in Tamaqua and Williams Valley. Students wanted to participate in his groups. These kids would do anything for Mr. P.”

Tucci noted that Potlunas conducted the Schuylkill Youth Symphony and belonged to the Anthracite Philharmonic. He was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

As for the concert, band members chose songs that Potlunas enjoyed.

“It’s going to be an emotional concert for us,” Tucci said. “We are trying to make it as special as we can.”

The Rev. Christopher Zelonis, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul R.C. Church in Lehighton and a Cressona Band member, will offer opening and closing prayers.

“Everybody please come and honor our John, the legend,” Tucci said.