THE BABAHATCHIE COMMUNITY BAND PERFORMS AT THE PRINCESS

The Babahatchie Community Band performed at the Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman Saturday at 3PM.

There were around 300 in attendance and the band didn't fail to entertain.  The brass ensemble focused on Christmas music, and paused prior to the concert to honor the lives lost at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newton, Connecticut.

The Princess Theatre Foundation was also honored before the concert began, with a plaque of appreciation given to Vera Scarbrough, representing the foundation, by Dr. Joe Williams, who founded the community band.  Together, the groups have been entertaining Roane County at the Princess and at Roane State.

Band Director McCall Bohanan struck up the band and the afternoon was filled with beautiful music.

Babahatchie is a unique Native American name for the Emory River running through Harriman, meaning “babbling waters.”

For 20 years or so, the band of that same name has performed for Harriman residents with popular classics, marches, brass band music, and show tunes.  They perform in the gazebo at Riverfront Park on scheduled Sundays during the summer.  The tuba and euphonium players also get together the 2nd Saturday in December for the annual Merry Tuba Christmas, held at the Harriman High School gym. 

The full group, usually about 30 members strong, was formed by Dr. Joseph (Joe) Williams in 1989. The band holds weekly rehearsals, which are open to the public and held in the Harriman High School band room most any Monday evening around 8 PM.