At our Salute the Troops Concert on November 9, 2025, Morning Star Rotary presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Ron Demkee, Conductor of the Allentown Band to honor his many decades of service to the musical life of the Lehigh Valley in both education and the performing arts.
Ron Demkee joined the Allentown Band in 1964 as the featured tuba soloist and was elected conductor in 1977. He taught instrumental music for 32 years and conducted the Freedom High School Patriot Band, its orchestra, and other instrumental ensembles from the time the school opened in 1967 until 1997 in addition to being the chair of the Fine Arts Department. Ron also taught at Muhlenberg and Moravian colleges until retiring in 2015. Until recently, Ron played principal tuba in the Allentown Symphony Orchestra since 1980 and served as associate conductor from 1983 - 2024.
Ron has received numerous awards: National Band Association's "Citation of Excellence;" John Philip Sousa Foundation's "Sudler Legion of Honor;" Allentown’s “Arts Ovation Award” for Outstanding Achievements in the Performing Arts and Allentown Arts Council’s “Lifetime Achievement Award;” National High School Band Directors’ “Hall of Fame;” and in 1991, Muhlenberg College- “Honorary Doctor of Music.” We were pleased to be able to add to his accolades by presenting him with a Paul Harris Fellow.