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Life in the West Point Band

~ A chronicle of daily life in the Army's oldest band

Life in the West Point Band

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My Perspective of the West Point Holiday

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by NY Musician in Uncategorized

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america, Army, army band, band, big band, Chanukah, Christmas, Classical Music, concert band, Eisenhower Hall, Eisenhower Hall Theatre, free performance, Hellcats, holiday, holiday music, Jazz, Jazz knights, Jeremy Gaynor, military band, military music, Music, santa, service, trombone, United States Military Academy, West Point, West Point Band, West Point Holiday, wind ensemble

1002002_10151727179771825_1647130674_nSpeaking as someone who’s been in the band for nine years, I can honestly say that the holiday show is one of my favorite performances we do. I’ve only not been involved in two of them, and I was bummed out each time to not play, and still attended the performance anyway. This isn’t because I am a holiday fanatic, up on my roof stapling Christmas lights after Halloween and decorating my car like a reindeer (although I do admit to being excited each year when the stations start playing holiday songs)— but it’s because I really feel our holiday shows are just that good.

Every year we do something a little bit different; when I first got in the band, we would incorporate local children’s choirs and dance troupes. In the first show I ever played, I specifically remember the Fairfield County Children’s Choir singing the South African hymn “Siyahamba” with percussion accompaniment. It was something so different than I was used to hearing on traditional “holiday” programs! I feel that the way we program a diverse array of songs— as well as using arrangements in a wide variety of musical styles (classical, jazz, funk, pop, country, etc.)— is part of what makes our holiday shows so entertaining. For instance, we have done “O Holy Night” as a soul-bluesy trumpet feature, “No Place Like Home for the Holidays” as a country tune, “What Child is This” as a jazz saxophone duet feature, and “Carol of the Bells” as a fantasy with a slow and steady minimalistic buildup into a rock section with electric guitar solo (the last three of these which will be performed this week!).

8289013117_598f6534d7_zFor this year’s show I also had the opportunity to help write the script, which gave me an insight into just how involved the show is even beyond the music. Having only ever just played my clarinet part, I didn’t fully understand just how much goes into a production like this. There are all of the vocalist and instrumentalist cues, lighting, sound, props, stage setups, etc— all of which have to work together. Before the band even rehearses a single note, hours upon hours have been spent conceiving, planning, and organizing. To give you an idea, going into the first rehearsal ever for this year’s show, we were already up to draft number seven of the script! And even though the group of musicians on stage for the performance is only a part of the whole band (a hybrid jazz-concert band), this concert is quite literally “all hands on deck,” with all band members either on stage, back stage, ushering, directing cars in the parking lot, playing pre-music— or any combination of the above— not to mention all the work that goes into publicizing the event beforehand. In the end, though, it’s always a great payoff to get to bring in the season with so many people and their families who show up each year for the West Point Holiday!

Words by Staff Sgt. Erin Beaver

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‘Twas the West Point Holiday

30 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by NY Musician in Concert Band, Hellcats, Jazz Knights, Uncategorized, West Point Holiday

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america, Army, army band, band, big band, Chanukah, Christmas, Classical Music, concert band, Eisenhower Hall, Eisenhower Hall Theatre, free performance, Hellcats, holiday, Jazz, Jazz knights, Jeremy Gaynor, military band, military music, Music, service, trombone, United States Military Academy, West Point, West Point Band, West Point Holiday, wind ensemble

1002002_10151727179771825_1647130674_n

It’s December in the Hudson Valley and that means one thing: it’s time for the West Point Holiday at Eisenhower Hall. As usual, there will be world-class music and an entertaining story. This year’s show is based on the beloved poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” only with a witty West Point twist. There will be laughs, there will be twists, and there might even be an appearance from Santa Claus! How do I know so much about the script? I co-wrote it, along with my colleague, Staff Sgt. Erin Beaver. (The hilarious and clever rhymes—and there are many—were mostly her doing. She’s hilarious.) We did such a fine job writing it, I was asked to narrate the show, too.  I agreed. Normally I’m playing trombone for this production. This year, I’m the M.C.

8290076016_b5342d2048I’m not going to lie, I’m excited, but I’m also a little nervous. It’s almost like I’m watching my Kansas City Chiefs play. But a few butterflies never hurt anyone. I am truly looking forward to the opportunity.

One advantage I’ll have as the narrator is having an 18-month-old daughter who loves hearing her daddy read to her. Whether it’s a story about different colors, farm animals, or the alphabet, I strive for the dramatic and to entertain—I want my daughter to enjoy her books, after all! Only now I’m reading a holiday poem synced with music. And instead of reading to my toddler, I’m reading to several thousand people. No big deal!

This show is always spectacular and I’m confident this year’s will be no different. Come ring in the holiday cheer with the West Point Band!

Tickets are required for this free show. They can be downloaded at www.westpointband.com.

Words by Staff Sgt. Phil Stehly

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Performing a Veteran’s Day Concert

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by NY Musician in Benny Havens Band, Concert Band, Hellcats, Jazz Knights

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america, Army, army band, band, big band, Classical Music, concert band, free performance, Jazz, Jazz knights, military band, military music, Music, service, sousa, taps, trombone, United States Military Academy, veterans, West Point, wind ensemble

vets1As a member of the West Point Band, my job can pull me in a lot of different directions depending on what we’re doing. One day I might be playing the fight song for an Army football game, the next I’m sitting down for a concert in Avery Fisher Hall. And then there are press releases I write for our performances, trombone sectionals I occasionally run for a local high school, or a two-mile run I might do before work.

Amid the many aspects of this job, it’s important to take a step back and remember what a privilege it is to wear the uniform. It’s important to honor those who made it possible for me to serve. There’s no better opportunity for me to do this than the West Point Band’s annual Veteran’s Day concert.

I always look forward to this performance. And it’s not just the impressive multimedia, or that I enjoy the historical elements of it. (Though those things certainly help.) I love this concert because it’s an honor recognizing those who have served. My contribution to this noble cause is through the music I make with my trombone. Whether it’s our stirring, upbeat renditions of marches or a bugler performing Taps, it’s always an emotional concert. I try and remember the veterans every performance, particularly when we play the Armed Forces Medley. But their importance resonates a little more on this concert.

No concert will ever be enough to say thank you to our veterans, but we’ll give it our best shot. I promise it will be a great production with world-class music and terrific entertainment. Please join us and help us celebrate the service of our veterans!

Free tickets for are required for the performance. They can be downloaded at http://www.westpointband.com.

Words by Staff Sgt. Phil Stehly, Image by Staff Sgt. Mikki Skinner

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Standing for Freedom – West Point Veteran’s Day Celebration

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by NY Musician in Concert Band, Hellcats, Jazz Knights

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West Point Band, Veterans Day

The West Point Band is excited to present its annual Veteran’s Day performance. Since I arrived to the band in 2005, this production more than any other has evolved into something special.

One of the first performances I played at West Point was our Veteran’s Day concert. And that’s all it was: a concert. The band sat down and played a few tunes. Some were patriotic, others not so much. That was our Veteran’s Day performance.

Today, it’s a multimedia production, complete with narration and video. The performers are made up of a large ensemble comprised of the Concert Band, Jazz Knights, and Hellcats. This concert has become a high priority for the West Point Band, and it shows in its production value.

I actually had my parents fly in from Kansas City for this concert last year. True story. I wanted them to see what the band is capable of. We had narrators feeding off each other while the band played music synchronized with video. My folks weren’t disappointed. The year before that, I told my wife to clear her schedule—this was one concert she didn’t want to miss. I’m telling you, Veteran’s Day at West Point has become something special.

Probably the biggest difference with this concert in recent years is how we tell a story through music. It’s so much more interesting for the audience this way, yes? This year, we’ve selected music representing all of America’s veterans. Everything from the Revolutionary War to the World Wars to Iraq and Afghanistan will be included on the program. It will all be performed in front of an enormous video screen, complete with narration, pictures, and video. You won’t want to miss it.

The West Point Band is excited to put on this grand production. It’s all for the veterans. It’s humbling. I can’t think of a greater way to serve on this important holiday.

Free tickets for are required for the performance. They can be downloaded at www.westpointband.com.

Words by Staff Sgt. Phil Stehly, Image by Staff Sgt. Mikki Skinner

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