Soup at Six - Music to Our Ears: The Grand Army Band to the Canton Concert Band

Join Director of Education Ally Carlson for an exploration of concert bands in Canton. Music has always played an important role in Stark County’s entertainment history, and Canton has been home to a number of talented bands, from “McKinley’s Own” Grand Army Band to the Canton Concert Band that is still active today. As part of the America 250 in Ohio March theme of “Ohio Entertains,” learn about the role Canton’s bands played in McKinley’s campaigns, and even giving birth to a “March King” to rival Sousa.

Pre-registration is required, available online or call 330-455-7043. Deadline for reservations is March 12, 2026. Cost is $25 per person and includes soup, bread, and dessert.

Allyson Carlson graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2011 with her bachelor’s in Middle Childhood Education, and completed her Master’s of Library and Information Science concentrating in Museum Studies from Kent State University in 2017. After spending a few years in the classroom, Ally got a part time job as a history docent at the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in 2015. In 2019, Ally took over the Museum’s membership program in addition to her Education Department duties, and in 2020 she became the Director of Education and Membership.