The Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus is the oldest and largest of the U.S. Army Field Band’s four performing components. This performance is free, but tickets must be reserved.Musical ambassadors of the U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, will perform a free show at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus is the oldest and largest of the U.S. Army Field Band’s four performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957, respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on national tours. They have performed in all 50 states and in 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling hundreds of millions.
This performance is free, but tickets must be reserved. Contact the Alys Stephens Center Box Office at 205-975-2787 or ascboxofc@uab.edu to reserve a free ticket, or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
The program will include “America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, arranged by Carmen Dragon; “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith; “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn” by John Philip Sousa ed. R. Mark Rogers; “Liberty Fanfare” by John Williams, arranged by Jim Curnow; “Raise the Roof” by Michael Daugherty; “The Promise of Living” from “The Tender Land” by Aaron Copland, featuring Sgt. 1st Class Robert Marino, timpani; “A Night at the Opera,” by various composers, arranged by Beth Hough and MSG Adrian Hernandez, with Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Chung and Staff Sgt. Teresa Alzadon, vocalists; “Hymn to the Fallen” from “Saving Private Ryan” by John Williams; “Dogface Soldier” by Bert Gold and Ken Hart, arranged by Charles Maxwell; “Armed Forces Salute” by various composers, arranged by Ken Whitcomb, Robert Lichtenberger and Maj. Scott McKenzie; and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.
Students from the UAB College of Arts & Sciences' Department of Music will join the performance, led by Interim Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Percussion Gene Fambrough, DMA. The students are Elysia Crecelius, flute; Caleb Hilliard, clarinet; Ian Bevel, alto saxophone; Jackson Brunner, trumpet; Catherine Bates, horn; Patrick Rutledge, trombone; Ben Toves, tuba; and Cody Ray, percussion. Fambrough will guest conduct on "American Salute" as well.
The 65-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus perform regularly in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, and just as often in the humblest auditoriums in the smallest of communities. The joining of these two ensembles allows them to offer unparalleled versatility of programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics and Broadway musicals. The band and chorus also perform independently, and have recently shared the stage with such ensembles as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to their national tours, formal concerts, chamber recitals and educational outreach, members of the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus frequently represent the Army at formal and ceremonial functions, including the presidential inaugural parade, presidential funerals, the Army All-American Bowl and diplomatic efforts overseas.
The dedication and musicianship of the members of the United States Army Field Band represent the professionalism that American soldiers have embodied during nearly three centuries of proud service.