PARKERSBURG - The Concert Band of the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Choir will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Parkersburg High School Field House.
Sponsored by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel with the cooperation of Parkersburg High School, the two-hour performance will feature the 65-member band and 29-voice chorus performing a variety of music, ranging from military marches, to concert pieces, to a salute to military veterans and their branches of service.
"It is always a great pleasure to sponsor the performance of a military band in our community, which has a long and strong tradition of military service, respect and support," said Jim Spanner, News and Sentinel publisher.
Concert attendees are advised to be in their seats in the Field House by 6:45 p.m., as all seats are first-come, first-seated.
In previous years, free tickets from The News and Sentinel were needed to attend the performance, but due to the large seating capacity in the Field House, tickets will not be needed for this performance.
An added attraction in the concert will be the opportunity for up to eight members of the PHS band and up to eight members of the PHS choir to perform with the army musicians.
*?Concert Band
According to the Army, "The Concert Band is the oldest and largest of the Field Band's four performing components. This elite 65-member instrumental ensemble, founded in 1946, has performed in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries for audiences totaling more than 100 million. Tours have taken the band throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Far East and India.
"The group appears in a wide variety of settings, from world-famous concert halls, such as the Berlin Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall, to state fairgrounds and high school gymnasiums. The Concert Band regularly travels and performs with the Soldiers' Chorus, together presenting a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos.
"Regardless of the venue, the pageantry and professionalism of the band's performance is sure to be entertaining and emotional for all audiences, instilling pride in our American heritage.
*?Soldiers' Chorus
"The Soldiers' Chorus, founded in 1957, is the vocal complement of the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. The 29-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of the 'Musical Ambassadors of the Army.' The chorus has performed in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, India, the Far East, and throughout Europe, entertaining audiences of all ages.
"The musical backgrounds of Soldiers' Chorus personnel range from opera and musical theatre to music education and vocal coaching. The diversity provides unique programming flexibility. In addition to presenting selections from the vast choral repertoire, Soldiers' Chorus performances often include the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet, and Americana.
"This versatility has earned the Soldiers' Chorus an international reputation for presenting musical excellence and inspiring patriotism."
*?Commander
"In August 2011, Col. Timothy J. Holtan assumed command of The U.S. Army Field Band, Washington, D.C. Holtan previously served as commandant of the U.S. Army School of Music, where he served as the primary proponent for all 100 Army bands and oversaw the training of more than 500 professional musicians each year.
"A native of Bismarck, N.D., he is a former public school music educator in Montana. An active conductor, adjudicator and clinician, Holtan has presented concerts and clinics in 48 states, Canada, Japan, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe.
"Holtan's ensembles have been seen on national television broadcasts on PBS, A&E, TNN and C-SPAN, and diverse stages such as the Kennedy Center, Avery Fisher Hall, DAR Constitution Hall, the Mormon Tabernacle and the Myerson Symphony Center. Under his leadership and after a 44-year absence, the West Point Band re-established a partnership with the New York Philharmonic, which resulted in five Lincoln Center joint performances. Holtan also led the West Point Band in the Emmy-nominated 'Marina at West Point' PBS television production that reached more than 130 million viewers."
