Navy Band sets Price concert for Feb. 27

The United States Navy Concert Band, the premier wind ensemble of the U.S. Navy, presents a free concert on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Utah State University Eastern’s Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center. The band presents a wide array of marches, patriotic selections, orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble repertoire. As the original ensemble of the Navy Band, the Concert Band has been performing public concerts and participating in high-pro le events for over 85 years. Collaboration with celebrities has become a hallmark for the Concert Band. The band was featured with Arthur Godfrey of NBC radio fame in 1927. Gene Kelly was a guest star for the first episode of “The Navy Hour” radio program in 1945, which the band produced for an astounding 23 years. More recently, the band featured guest artists Tony Curtis and Gregory Peck. In 2002, the band was filmed performing “America the Beautiful;” the performance was broadcast by the NFL prior to each game during opening week. In addition to national concert tours and an extensive local concert season, the Concert Band has been featured internationally at military tattoos and festivals in Oslo, Stockholm and Quebec City. In 1996, the band was honored to participate in the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Fleet in St. Petersburg and in The Baltic International Festival of the Fleets in Kaliningrad, Russia. One of the primary responsibilities of the U.S. Navy Band is its national concert tour. Rather than a single tour, the Navy Band’s national concert tour is a collection of tours throughout the year by the various units of the Navy Band. Each year, ensembles of the Navy Band embark for weeks on concert tours throughout specified regions of the country. These tours provide the opportunity to reach out to audiences in areas of the country that may not see the Navy’s premier musical ensembles on a regular basis. The national concert tours of the Navy Band serve audiences with entertaining performances but also allow the Navy direct access to both former and future members of the United States Navy. Audiences across the country receive the Navy Band with warm support and appreciation. Whether in a local gymnasium or in a famous concert hall, the Navy Band strives to perform with all of the precision and energy that bets its stature. Past tours by Navy Band ensembles have included performances at major municipal halls, community centers, countless universities, outdoor venues and the American Bandmasters Association Annual Convention. These patriotic concerts range from the traditional to the contemporary, showcasing the skill and versatility of the different units of the band. All Navy Band performances are free and open to the public. The concerts are meant to be for everyone and they strive to be entertaining to veterans, families, individuals and those interested in joining the Navy. For those interested, Navy recruiters will be available for any questions at most tour performances. Finally, national tours also allow the Navy Band to full one of its other priorities. The Navy Band routinely extends its commitment to educational outreach during its tours through the Music in the Schools program. It is not uncommon for Navy Band musicians to take the time to perform recitals and give masterclasses and clinics in local schools and universities.