Stars and Stripes on stage

MAT-SU -- Two weeks ago, at a memorial ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York City, the Washington D.C. area, and Pennsylvania, the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus set the mood with their rousing performances.

A little slice of that memorial is coming to the Valley in October. The band and chorus is scheduled to play at Colony High School on Oct. 9.

The band plays around the world, and has built quite a tradition.

"It is a great instrument for stirring patriotic emotions," wrote a member of the U.S. Congress after seeing a performance.

The band was organized on March 21, 1946, out of the same patriotic feelings that are being felt today. Gen. Jacob L. Devers issued an order to Chief Warrant Officer Chester E. Whiting, commander of the Army's First Combat Infantry Band.

"I want you to organize a band that will carry into the grassroots of our country the story of our magnificent Army, its glorious traditions and achievements; and of the great symbol of American manhood -- the ground soldier," Devers wrote in his order.

Since then, the field band has been filled with the Army's finest soldier-musicians. Many of the band's members have studied at the country's leading conservatories and schools of music and have performed with major symphonies and leading dance orchestras before entering the service.

All of the musicians were selected following a highly competitive audition. Like other special operatives of the U.S. Army, only the best of the best are selected to play with the field band and soldiers' chorus.

It didn't take long for the field band to build a tradition as one of the finest bands in the world. Whiting was at the command of the field band for 14 years, and in that time, the band played in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Far East, Central and South America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In its 55 years, the band has played in virtually every one of the country's top music halls and amphitheaters. It has also commemorated many world events by traveling and playing, including a Europe performance to celebrate the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986 and at the New York and Seattle World Fairs.

The band has marched in numerous presidential inauguration parades, escorted the president a number of times and played for many visiting heads of state throughout the years.

Col. Finley Hamilton is the present commander of the band. Lt. Col. Robert McCormick conducts the chorus.

The soldiers' chorus is an integral part of the band, is comprised of 29 vocalists.

At each performance, the chorus presents a variety of well-known compositions.

Widely called one of the finest vocal groups in the country, the chorus has performed on television, on radio and with some of the top symphony orchestras, such as the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra.

The field band's concerts are designed to appeal to all audiences, offering classical, semi-classical and popular selections, choral arrangements, novelty numbers and military marches.

The chorus and field band bring their patriotic music and singing to Colony High School on Oct. 9.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free, but tickets are required.

Tickets for the performances are available at local chambers of commerce.