The Palmerton Area School District has a very proud musical heritage. In the first half of the 20th century, there was a string program. In 1943, music teacher Stanley Smith started the band program. In the 50s, there were some string players who excelled to the level of being selected to State Orchestra. In 1959, a student went to State Band. There were several band directors over the ten years after Mr. Smith retired in 1960. Mr. Tom Heinze was hired around 1970 and had outstanding bands, perhaps most notably the jazz bands of the era. Mr. Heinze was reassigned to the elementary level around 1980, and again there were several band directors through the 80s. Mr. Tom Heinick was hired in August of 1988, and over the ensuing years the marching band and concert band again began to grow and improve. Jazz Band was reintroduced to the high school, and also became a rather successful musical entity. In 2001 and 2002, Tim Walck was selected to All-State Band.

There was some decline in membership starting in the 2000s due to circumstances beyond our control. In 2011, Mr. Heinick's position was adjusted to include teaching one high school music class and resuming teaching instrumental at the elementary schools. After a five year period with no marching band, the band was revived in 2014 with 19 members and has grown to 51 strong and has flourished since. The marching band was rated Superior at Music in the Parks at Dorney Park in 2018. The concert band, which reached a low of four members in 2013-14, is back with well over 20 members for 2018-2019 and was rated Superior at Music in the Parks in Williamsburg in 2017.

Please see the marching and concert band tabs for current information on both.