The award-winning AMERICAN LEGION BAND OF THE TONAWANDAS was formed in 1929 by World War I veterans and Post 264 members. The band (currently 85 members at full strength) draws its membership from a broad cross-section of Western New Yorkers. The members have diverse occupations and backgrounds including management, engineering, business, medicine, government, sales, and industry. A large number are instrumental music educators, graduates or students of university music programs. Membership is open to all musicians based upon a placement evaluation and section vacancies. None of the musicians are compensated. 

The Band rehearses and performs year-round. Formal concerts are performed between the months of September and June in area schools and theaters. The Band has performed on numerous occasions on the stages of Artpark, the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater, the Riviera Theatre and the Palace Theatre. During the remaining months of the year, the Band performs a number of concerts and parades throughout Western New York. They have been New York State American Legion Senior Band champion almost continuously since 1947, American Legion Concert Band National Champions on 22 occasions and the Canadian National Exhibition International Band Champion on six occasions. At the CNE, the President's Trophy was permanently awarded to the Band after winning it for three consecutive years, a feat never before accomplished in the history of the CNE band contest. The Band has been videotaped by P.B.S. for a nationally televised special portraying the band of John Philip Sousa. In addition to competitive performances, the Band has been invited to perform at conventions for the New York State School Music Association, the New York State Band Directors Association, and the Association of Concert Bands national convention. The Band received a Gold Medal for its performance in the Sydney (Australia) Opera House as the United States representative to the International Music Festival in 1992. The Band additionally performed in the Showcase Concert of the 2004 New York Wind Band Festival held in Carnegie Hall. 

The Band has and always will stand ready to aid in any worthwhile community function and to uphold the great tradition of the American Legion.