The United States Army Band

For over 78 years, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" has maintained a tradition of excellence as the premier musical organization of The United States Army. The Band was founded in 1922 by Army Chief of Staff General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing to emulate European military bands he heard during World War I. The Band continues to play an important role in events of national and international significance, staging performances from the battlefields of World War II to our Nation's Capital.

During its early years, The Band became widely known and critically acclaimed for radio broadcasts featured on several networks, including RCA, CBS and the Mutual Broadcasting Network. The Band also completed four national tours between 1928 and 1931 and became highly respected for its performances during a trip to Spain for the Ibero-American Exposition in spring 1929.

In June 1943, The Band was called overseas to perform first in North Africa and then battle-weary Europe, returning to U.S. soil in June 1945. The Band received a battle streamer for their efforts during the Rhineland Campaign and is the only Washington-based military band to have participated in a theater of foreign combat operations.

The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band

In June of 1943, The U.S. Army Band was ordered overseas to perform for American and allied soldiers. During that two-year tour, a representative element known as the 'auxiliary band' was established to fulfill the diplomatic and military ceremonial needs of the nation's capital. This element, now known as The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, has grown to meet a wide range of commitments. The Band's primary mission is to support military funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. The Band also supports wreath laying ceremonies for visiting dignitaries at the Tomb of the Unknowns, arrival and departure ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon, and monthly retirement parades and special reviews at Fort Myer and Fort McNair.

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Salute to a New
Beginning

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The Stars & Stripes
Forever

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The Army Goes
Rolling Along

During the spring and summer of 1944, the Band was based in the United Kingdom. Remarkably, the Band performed for troops assembled in the staging areas for the Normandy invasion, one of the most significant events in history. After D-day, the Band performed at hospitals that included men wounded in the invasion.

In the fall of 1944, the Band moved to France. In Verdun, a concert was performed for a huge crowd at the Monument de la Victoire. The concert held much meaning for the French residents as Verdun, the center of the fiercest fighting during World War I, had recently been liberated from the Germans during the current conflict.

In December, the Band traveled to Antwerp, Belgium.

While there, they experienced a German V-2 rocket bomb attack where a clarinetist was wounded and subsequently received the Purple Heart.

In March of 1945, the Band performed at the ceremony honoring the 101st Airborne Division’s defense of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. It also performed at the Paris Opera house with conductor Andre Kostelanetz and soprano Lily Pons.

Captured in its most famous photograph while overseas, the Band marched in a victory parade on the Champs Elyse'e in front of the Arc De Triomphe in Paris May 14, 1945, before returning home.

The U.S. Army Blues

Formed in 1972, The Army Blues carries on a tradition begun by the Army Dance Band which entertained soldiers and civilians in the battle zone during World War II. As the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, and one of the few remaining professional groups of its kind, the Blues' present-day mission is to promote America's art form: jazz. The Blues pay tribute to the big bands of yesterday by performing music by such greats as Ellington, Basie, Miller and Herman. The Army Blues perform their own versions of the latest and most innovative sounds of contemporary composers, as well.

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Festival Time

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Aftermath

The period after World War II saw The Band expand in scope and diversity to keep pace with an increased demand for numerous and specialized assignments. The United States Army Ceremonial Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Herald Trumpets and The United States Army Strings were established as regular performing units during this time.

This period also saw The Band perform with numerous well-known artists and composers, many as part of the very successful Freedom Sings concert series that started in 1950 and continued for several years. Notables include Metropolitan Opera bass Jerome Hines, composers Paul Hindemith and Percy Grainger, and the pianist duo Whittmore and Lowe.

Similarly, several well-known entertainers and recording artists were band members during this period. Eddie Fisher, Robert Dini and Steve Lawrence were very popular during the 1950's, as were harpist Lloyd Lindroth, future Metropolitan Opera tenor George Shirley and announcer Charles Osgood.

The U.S. Army Corale

Chosen for their musical versatility and showmanship, the men and women of The Chorale combine special arrangements with choreography to create a program of unique entertainment. The Chorale has given hundreds of performances for a wide variety of audiences. Beyond the scope of support for our nation's executives, senior Army leadership and their foreign diplomatic guests, The Chorale is recognized as a driving force in the vocal music world. The ensemble's experience includes performances at music educator conferences, prestigious music institutions and camps, as well as live national television broadcasts.

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A Patriotic
Showcase

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Here's To America

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Nifties from the
Fifties

Throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's, The Band continued to perform and serve with distinction. In 1963, The Band participated in the funeral of President John F. Kennedy with Army Band Bugler Keith Clark performing Taps at the graveside service in Arlington National Cemetery. Brucker Hall, The Band's training and performance facility, was constructed in the mid-1970's. Also during this era, The Army Blues jazz ensemble, The United States Army Chorale and The United States Army Brass Band were officially established as regular performing ensembles.

An official Coat of Arms and distinctive uniforms were approved to reflect The Band's increasing visibility at events of national significance, including the visit of Emperor Hirohito to Alaska with President Nixon, the national Bicentennial Celebration, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, the return of the former U.S. hostages from Iran, the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Band has performed in Canada, Japan and Australia as well as in several of the nation's prominent concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Guggenheim Band Shell at Lincoln Center in New York, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hatch Shell in Boston. In 1984, The Band recorded and participated in the filming of Francis Ford Coppolla's movie Gardens Of Stone.

The U.S. Army Concert Band

The U.S. Army Concert Band has a worldwide reputation for extraordinary musicianship in a variety of styles ranging from classical to popular. In an effort to promote international goodwill, The 65-piece traditional concert band has performed joint concerts with the Soviet Army, the Russian Navy and the Ukrainian Navy. Concert Band musicians, many with bachelor's and master's degrees in their instruments, have appeared in military tattoos in Sweden, Holland, Norway, Australia and Japan. The power and repertoire of the Concert Band is greatly enhanced when combined with other musical ensembles of The Army Band, such as The Army Herald Trumpets and The Army Chorus.

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Emperor Waltz

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Symphonic Dance

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Torch Dance

Under the leadership of Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne, leader and commander (1990 - 2000), The Band continued its tradition of excellence with performances at the 1990 Economic Summit in Houston, the Desert Storm Victory Parade in New York and Reba McEntire's Christmas Special in Nashville. Col. Shelburne has also led The Band in performances in Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, Novia Scotia and Scotland including a concert of International Goodwill with the Soviet Union's Navy Band of Moscow in Stockholm.

Col. Shelburne conducted The Band in the premier of James Curnow's "Lochinvar," a work commissioned specifically for the band as the result of a donation from movie director Francis Ford Coppolla. Other premiers include "Lonely Beach, Normandy 1942" by James Barnes and "To Build A Fire" by Mark Camphouse. The Band plays an important role in music education often serving as the featured musical group at prominent music conferences and conventions, such as The International Trumpet Guild, The Eastern Trombone Workshop, The Eastern Tuba and Euphonium Conference, The North American Brass Band Association, The Music Educator's National Conference, The International Association of Jazz Educators and the American Bandmaster's Association.

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet was formed in 1972 and is comprised of members of both the Ceremonial and Concert Bands. Their professional approach to performing music composed and transcribed for brass quintet has made them one of the premier brass quintets in the world. They have participated in concerts and clinics at international brass symposia and conventions, national music educators conventions, and concerts in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands. The Quintet has performed on local and national television and the nationally syndicated Larry King late-night radio show.

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Roman Carnival
Overture

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Light Calvary
Overture

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America The
Beautiful

In November 1997, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" culminated its rich 75 year history with a grand concert at Carnegie Hall in New York. Guest artists included Walter Cronkite, Charles Osgood and Metropolitan Opera stars Roberta Peters and John Cheek.

In April 2000, Colonel Gary F. Lamb returned to The United States Army Band, (he had been assigned here previously in 1986 at which time he was the Deputy Commander and held positions as Director of The Army Chorale, and Director of The Army Chorus), to become the seventh Leader and Commander.

For the first time since 1945, members of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" performed in a theater of foreign operations as they journeyed to Southwest Asia with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley on a weeklong tour ending Christmas Eve. A ten-piece pop group from the Army Band accompanied country musician Darryl Worley, comedian Kathy Griffin, actress Karri Turner, wrestler Bradshaw and two cheerleaders from the Jacksonville Jaguars to Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Afghanistan as part of a pre-Christmas tour.

The Army Band group, nicknamed "DownRange," opened the first portion of the 90-minute shows for hundreds of soldiers with top-40 hits including "Soul Man," "Respect" and "Living in America." Army Blues trombonist/producer Sgt. 1st Class Matt Niess, said, "it was a real eye-opening experience. You find out how you really take things for granted once you get home." He said the band's repertoire was quintessential American music that took on added weight when played far away from home. Niess arranged the groupís music, while guitarist Master Sgt. Jim Roberts transcribed and arranged Daryl Worley's tunes.

The gravity of their mission, brightening the lives of soldiers very much in need of rest and relaxation, was driven home by the fact that the group had to perform before troops in Kandahar just hours after a soldier had been killed there while on border patrol. The ensemble solemnly waited side stage as a chaplain said a few consoling words. "Once the performance started people got into it and, at least temporarily, began to forget," said pianist Master Sgt. Tony Nalker.

Nalker, also member of the Army Blues, called the experience of playing before deployed military personnel in an unsettled region "unbelievable." "To be able to contribute in our very small way to helping these guys out was a life altering experience," he said. "You couldn't help but be impressed by the dedication of the soldiers."

Trumpeter Staff Sgt. Liesl Whitaker, another Blues veteran, said playing patriotic songs had much added resonance in places where soldiers were risking their lives. "It takes on a different meaning before a Twilight Tattoo crowd than it does when playing to guys that are being shot at in the field," she said.

Less familiar songs like Worley's original, "I Miss My Friend," were even poignant in such circumstances, said vocalist Sgt. 1st Class Caleb Green, a member of the Army Chorale, quoting the lyrics, "I miss my friend; the one I felt the safest with."

Green had a 14 and a half-year stint as a radio operator with the Army Signal Corps before joining the Chorale more than three years ago. He said he and band members mingled with deployed soldiers as much as they could between rehearsals and performances as they traveled from tarmac to tarmac. Green said he looked for Signal guys in the crowd, calling out, "Talk to me commo!"

Whitaker, who kept a journal of the trip, said band members were always aware of the danger of the region and the need for extra security precautions. The windows of the buses they rode in either had curtains or were painted black to keep passengers out of view. Some band members experienced nausea when the C-130 cargo plane they rode in undertook a rough "combat landing" or two.

Several musicians described the opportunity to bring a little bit of home to soldiers as humbling. "It was a fabulous experience," said Green. "It was emotional in a way, because these guys deserve so much more. It was the least we could do." "We had great response everywhere we played," Whitaker said. "It was probably the most important gig we ever did."

Until recently, The U.S. Army Band was the only Washington D.C.-based military band to perform in a theater of foreign operations. The only exception being The Airmen of Note from the Air Force Band who recently did a two-week tour in Afghanistan. The Army Band's last wartime foray abroad took place during World War II. Overseas for two years, The U.S. Army Band received the Rhineland Campaign Battle Streamer for activities near the front in France and Belgium during late 1944.

For all of us, music brings out so much happiness. We perform to make ourselves and others feel good. The troops we perform for now live most days not knowing when the order will come to invade. They live in uncertainty 24/7. Many are apprehensive, and surely all are frightened to some extent. Now, as we perform before them, it is ironic that the emotional balance has shifted. We are happy to be able to give them these two hours of escape, and we see the joy on their faces as we perform. Strangely, we are now the ones feeling down, as we realize who these men and women are, and how dramatically their lives will soon change. It makes us realize how different two jobs can be in the Army. We are so fortunate to be able to do what we do for a living. When we are home, we sometimes feel that what we do as musicians is not very important in the Army, especially in a time of war. Now we realize that for two hours a day, as we perform for these troops, our role is crucial. We are all happy to contribute. - Staff Sgt. Liesl Whitaker

United States Army Band ~ Playing for the Troops ~ Bagram