Band History
A story that starts long before 1954
Our Roots
Tracing our Heritage
The Waldwick Band can trace its roots back to 1863, when a regiment of Bergen County troops was raised for the Civil War. The 22nd New Jersey Regiment enlisted for nine months of service with the Army of the Potomac. After its service concluded, the regiment disbanded, but the regiment's band remained together.
The band then became associated with the Wortendyke Mill, a fabric mill in the Midland Park / Wyckoff area, which supported a factory worker band that played at picnics and special events. Toward the end of the 1800s, many Italian immigrants employed at the mill and in Waldwick's railroad industries joined the ensemble. After the Wortendyke Mill closed, the musicians regrouped as the Italian Band, playing for Italian community functions such as feast days and parades — continuing until it ceased to exist during World War II.
Members of the Italian Band at at outdoor function in the apple orchard of Waldwick’s Old Italian neighborhood in the 1920’s.
Band Director Dr. Walter Nallin, who founded Waldwick Band and directed until his death in 1978.
1954 — 1968
Founding the Waldwick Band
The Waldwick Band was founded by Dr. Walter Nallin in 1954 for the Waldwick Fire Department. Dr. Nallin, a Waldwick resident and Chairman of the Music Department at Bernard Baruch College of the City University of New York, formed the band together with several former Italian Band members. The fire department musicians were soon joined by members of the Postal Carriers Band as well. Fire department bands were common in the 1950s, providing music for local parades.
In 1968, the band reorganized to become the Waldwick Community Band — the organization that continues to serve Waldwick today with its winter and spring concert series, and its appearance each year in the Memorial Day Parade.
1970 — 2026
The band under Edmund Moderacki
Moderacki joined the band as a tuba player in 1970. Following the untimely passing of Dr. Nallin in 1978, Edmund Moderacki became Music Director, leading the band for 48 years. For many years he has also been a music educator in the River Vale school system, and the band takes great pride in all it accomplished under his leadership.
In 2026, Joshua Jenkins takes the podium as the band's new conductor and music director — Meet our new Director below!
Band Director Edmund Moderacki, director from 1978-2026. He started as a Tuba player with the band in 1970.
News Features and Accolades
