The 65-member Concert Band component of the U.S. Army Field Band and the 29-voice Soldiers' Choir will be performing a free concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Parkersburg High School Field House.
Sponsored by The News and Sentinel with the cooperation of Parkersburg High School, the two-hour performance will be broken by a 15-minute intermission and will cover a variety of music, ranging from military marches, to concert pieces, to a salute to military veterans and their branches of service.
Concert attendees are advised to be in their seats in the Field House by 6:45 p.m., as all seats are first-come, first-seated.
For more than 10 years, The News and Sentinel has had the privilege of sponsoring military band performances in the Parkersburg area. It's one of the parts of my job that I really enjoy and I know brings a great deal of pleasure to music lovers, veterans and members of the active-duty military.
Unlike previous years, eight members of the Parkersburg band and eight members of the Parkersburg choir have an opportunity this time to perform with the Concert Band and with the Soldiers' Chorus, which is something I would have given nearly anything to do a million years ago when I was a mediocre trombone player in my high school's band.
PHS band director Dan White and PHS choir director Pam McClain have received the music for their students' involvement in the performance and will be working with the students to prepare them for the extra-special performance. We appreciate White's and McClain's willingness to give their students the opportunity to perform with the army groups and for taking the time to work with their students.
In previous years, those wishing to attend the concert needed to mail a self-address stamped envelope to the newspaper to request free tickets, but we don't think that will be necessary considering the large seating capacity at the Field House, which was one of only a couple of venues in the area large enough for the full band and chorus to perform. Unfortunately, Parkersburg does not have an auditorium with a stage large enough to meet the Concert Band and Soldiers' Chorus requirements, thus the gym floor will be covered with a large tarp to protect it while the band performs.
So, if you want to hear great music and see local students get a fantastic opportunity to perform with an elite band and chorus, join us from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 19 at the PHS Field House ... it should be a great evening!
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