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The All-Ohio State Fair Band was founded in 1925 and was known as the All-Ohio Boys' State Fair Band. It was then, as is now, comprised of superior musicians from throughout the State of Ohio.

The members of the 2013 AOSFB will arrive at The Rhodes Center on July 20 to begin several intense days of rehearsal. The talented musicians will take part in a rigorous pre-fair schedule where they learn close to 60 pieces of concert music of various styles and genres as well as numerous marches. Throughout the 2013 Ohio State Fair the Band members are scheduled to perform 95 concerts while continuing a long standing tradition of entertaining Ohio's citizens.

The founder and first director was Jack Wainwright (1925-1931) of Fostoria. He has been followed by four other directors:
Louis E. Pete (1932-1966),
Jack O. Evans (1967-1969),
Omar P. Blackman (1970-1998) and
Donald F. Santa-Emma, who has been director since 1999, and will celebrate 40 years as a staff member this summer.

Each year there are various new experiences for the Band as well as the continuation of numerous AOSFB traditions which include Ballyhoo-ing through the grounds, performances on the Rhodes Lawn and return trips to the Lausche Building and The Coliseum. This year the Band will perform at the Show Place Stage and will have several morning performances in Central Park and we'll be playing for the Governor's Cup for the second straight year. Watch this space as we prepare for the 2012 Fair which opens July 24, 2013.

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