Press Room

Archives

TUSAB Celebrates One of Its Own at Retirement Ceremony of SGM Woodrow English

Monday, Aug 23, 2010

By SSG Chris Branagan, TUSAB Public Affairs

On Thursday, August 19, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" marked the end of an era with the retirement ceremony of SGM Woodrow "Woody" English, the Army Band's Senior Trumpet Soloist and Special Bugler, after 34 years of distinguished service.

Approximately 300 friends, family, and colleagues attended the ceremony held at Brucker Hall, headquarters of The U.S. Army Band on historic Ft. Myer, Virginia. An octet of musicians provided pre-ceremony entertainment, and included current and former members of The U.S. Army Brass Quintet.

Attendees inclu...

Read More



More than 5,000 attend Overture 1812 Concert at the Washington Monument

Thursday, Aug 19, 2010

By Adrienne Combs, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Military District of Washington


The Washington Monument Grounds took on a festive atmosphere while more than 5,000 people listened to a variety of musical genres culminating with the classic Overture 1812 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed by The U. S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" at their annual Overture 1812 Concert on Aug. 17, at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument Grounds.

The concert featured The U.S. Army Concert Band, Chorus, and Herald Trumpets led by Col. Thomas Rotondi, Jr., commander of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." Featured soloists during the evening were Staff Sgt. Nadia Pessoa, who played a harp solo piece entitled Brazilian Holi...

Read More



Brass Player Divides Time

Tuesday, Aug 10, 2010

Re-posted from The Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, Maryland

Brass player divides time between Hagerstown and White House

By DAVE McMILLION

Staff Writer, The Herald-Mail

HAGERSTOWN -- Neal Corwell took an interest in music while he was a student at Clear Spring Elementary School.

Now he plays at the White House, helping to welcome ambassadors as part of the official fanfare ensemble for President Obama.

Corwell plays euphonium for The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, which joined the Hagerstown Municipal Band for a 7:30 p.m. show Sunday at the Peter Buys Band Shell in City Park.

The U.S. Army He...

Read More



The Origin of "Taps"

Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010

MSG Michael A. Parnell, Unit Historian


The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"

"Taps" as we hear it today began as general bugle call that replaced a previous French bugle call for "To Extinguish Lights" which was sounded for lights out to close the soldier's day in the mid 1800's. The music for "Taps" is a variation of an earlier version of the general bugle call "Tattoo" known as the "Scott Tattoo." Written evidence of how "Taps" in its present form came to be suggests that Union Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield with the assistance of his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton composed the bugle call.

Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831-1901) was born in Utica, New York, and graduated from Union College at Schenectad...

Read More



2010 Memorial Day Performances

Wednesday, May 19, 2010


"Pershing's Own" Takes Part in National Memorial Day Events

Among all the ceremonies and remembrances going on in and around the Nation's Capital, several featuring the talented musicians of "Pershing's Own" will be open to the public. Here is a quick glimpse of two such events.

Thursday, May 27 | 11:00 AM
Lincoln Memorial
Intersection of Independence Ave and 23rd Street SW | Washington, DC

Get your Memorial Day Weekend off to a great start with the United States Army Band and the United States Postal Service as they team up to honor legendary singer and entertainer Kate Smith during a stamp dedication ceremony May 27 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

Dr. Joseph W. Westphal...

Read More