ABOUT US
Fralinger is renowned throughout the world for very unique musical instrumentation and an uplifting performance style!
Most consistent top prize winner over the last 25 years:
Won first, second or third prize in 18 of the last 25 New Years’ Day parades
18 First Prizes overall
From 2003-2010, the band won an unprecedented eight consecutive first prizes, and was awarded first prize in 10 of the last 16 NYD parades!
Organized on December 18, 1914 by John J. Fralinger, M.D., a Philadelphia physician, pharmacist and also the team doctor for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics.
WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED OUR 103rd ANNIVERSARY!
Reorganized in 1974 as a nonprofit organization governed completely by the membership
A progressive and innovative Mummers String Band organization:
First string band to vocalize
First String Band to emulate brass instrument sounds with reed instruments (1971)
First String Band to feature the Big Band sound (1972) and Dixieland Jazz (1973)
First String Band to receive Philadelphia Mayor’s Achievement Award (1975)
Herb Smith (Music Director Emeritus), Mike Rayer (Presentation Director Emeritus), and Bill Bowen Jr. (Captain Emeritus) – all members of elite Mummers’ Hall of Fame
Significant engagements:
Walt Disney World Festival of Fantasy Parade (2017)
100th Anniversary proclamations from the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and U.S. House of Representatives (2014)
Toronto Ukrainian Festival (2012)
Mardi Gras – New Orleans, LA (1973 and 2012)
Hong Kong International Chinese New Year Parade (2007)
Walt Disney World SpectroMagic® Parade (2007)
Official 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies “Whiz Kids” pep band (since 1990)
Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell Inaugural Parade – Harrisburg, PA (2003)
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett Inaugural – Harrisburg, PA (2011)
Miss America Pageant Parade – Atlantic City, NJ
Pearl Harbor Memorial Concert – Honolulu, HI (1997)
Baseball Hall of Fame Parade – Cooperstown, NY
Selected for “America’s Bicentennial Celebration” television special (1976)
Appeared in Brian De Palma’s movie, “Blow Out” (1981)
Appeared in Philadelphia Constitution Bicentennial Parade (1987)
Appeared at Disney’s New York premieres of “Pocahontas” (1995) and “Hercules” (1997)
Dick Clark’s “Freedom Festival” television special (1989)