Dublin Cornet Band

The original Dublin Cornet Band was founded in 1879 and represented Dublin as it toured around central Ohio for over 50 years. As band membership dropped during WWII, the band eventually folded.

In 2010, through the vision and dedication of the Dublin Historical Society and generosity of the Dublin Foundation, this significant piece of Dublin’s heritage was resurrected for the City’s Bicentennial Celebration. This recreation of the Dublin Cornet Band has brought together a group of ten local professional-level musicians who are volunteering their time and talent to help represent Dublin at many community events.

Since 2010, the Dublin Cornet Band has performed at a variety of city events including the Emerald Celebration, Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Blarney Bash, Dublin Independence Day Celebration, Jig Thursdays, Emerald City Music Games, Dub Crawl, Dublin Irish Festival, Dublin Field of Honor, Dublin Historical Society Heritage Day, Dublin BREAD Festival, Dublin Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Under the Clock (Plain City, OH), and many Veteran's Day Ceremonies. Additionally, DCB has represented Dublin in the 2021 Great American Brass Band Festival (Danville, KY), the 2025 and 2026 OMEA Professional Development Conference, and won the U.S. Open "Buskers" Competition in 2023, 2024, 2025. Each year, we look forward to participating in the Ohio Brass Arts Festival (OBAF) and the Dublin Festival of Brass (DFOB).

This versatile group performs a variety of music in the small brass band tradition including 19th/early 20th century music (music popular around the time of the original Dublin Cornet Band), Patriotic favorites, Celtic music, New Orleans brass band repertoire, and German Oktoberfest music.

Diana Herak, Music Director
Diana Herak graduated from The Ohio State University with B.M.E. and M.A. degrees in Music Education. While at OSU, she played baritone in the all-brass Ohio State University Marching Band and is currently co-director of the TBDBITL Alumni Band.

Diana is a founding member of the following ensembles: All-Star Brass Band, Ohio Collegiate Brass (OCB)/Central Ohio Brass Band (COBB), Athena Brass Band (an all-star women’s brass band), Dublin Cornet Band, and Ohio Brass Band (now Dublin Silver Band). She has also played in the Brass Band of Columbus since 1999.

Diana won the NABBA Adult Slow Melody soloist competition on euphonium in 1996 and on baritone in 2006.

During the 2004-2005 school year Diana took a year leave of absence from her job to experience brass banding in the UK firsthand. She had the opportunity to play with a variety of Championship Section bands at many contests (and still returns on occasion to visit and perform). In 2008, Diana was one of four international baritone players to take part in the “Baritones to the Fore” CD, the first CD devoted specifically to baritone solo repertoire.

Diana is a retired strings teacher from the Westerville City School District (Westerville, OH).

Dr. Patrick Herak, Artistic Director
Dr. Patrick Herak is a highly accomplished advocate for the brass band movement, bringing a unique background in STEM education and engineering to his musical endeavors.

He currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Dublin Cornet Band and is a Co-founder of the influential Dublin Community Bands Organization, which includes the Dublin Metro Brass, Dublin Silver Band, and Dublin Youth Brass Band. As the founder and former Executive Director of the Dublin Festival of Brass and Ohio Brass Arts Festival, Dr. Herak has played a pivotal role in promoting the art form in the United States.

Dr. Herak's dedication to the international brass band community is highlighted by his leadership within the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), where he recently served as President (2023-2025), following several terms as Vice President and Board Member. His experience includes performing and contesting with British Brass Bands while teaching near London (UK).

Dr. Herak is a five-time graduate of The Ohio State University, having earned his Ph.D. in STEM Education and M.S. in Civil Engineering. He remains connected to his roots as a five-year member of The Ohio State University Marching Band, regularly playing with the TBDBITL Alumni Band. He regularly presents on the intersection of Music and Science/Engineering at venues including the Royal Northern College of Music International Festival of Brass, Ohio Music Education Association, and various Young People’s Concerts nationwide.