The internationally acclaimed United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C., will continue its long history of presenting free public performances when it appears at Christ Chapel on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The Field Band’s concert in St. Peter is sponsored by the Gustavus Artist Series, the Department of Music and the Office of Fine Arts at Gustavus. In the tradition of the Field Band, this performance is free and open to the public, however tickets are required. Tickets are available in advance online at armyfieldband.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at 507-933-7590. Unclaimed tickets will be available at the door, one hour prior to the concert.
As the premier touring musical representative for the United States Army, the Field Band travels thousands of miles each year throughout the nation and abroad, keeping the will of the American people behind the members of the armed forces and supporting diplomatic efforts around the world. Since its formation in 1946, the Field Band has appeared in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries on four continents. Along with the Soldiers’ Chorus, which was founded in 1957, this 65-member Concert Band presents a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos.
Past performance highlights include World War II 50th anniversary commemorations in the United States and Europe, Presidential Inaugural Parades, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, nationally televised broadcasts on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Joint concerts with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Pops, have received rave reviews.
The Field Band’s members, selected by highly competitive auditions, represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than five decades as the military’s most traveled musicians have earned them the title, “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army.” For this performance, eight members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Douglas Nimmo, have been selected to perform with the Field Band. They will rehearse with the Field Band in the afternoon of the performance and appear with them on stage for part of concert.
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