Patriotism filled the Music Building as the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus sang, drummed and tapped into the hearts of the people in attendance.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus held a free concert in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall to connect with Americans, honor veterans and share military stories.
The crowd was made up of U.S. veterans, active-duty soldiers, students of NIU and residents of DeKalb, who arrived to hear the music of the chorus.
Master Sergeant Erika Grimm, the oboist for the concert band of the United States Army Field Band, said that the theme “Sea to Shining Sea” was to highlight and show off the beauty of the U.S.
“So, each of our concerts that we do on tour is themed,” Grimm said. “This tour, we have three concerts that are themed. And this one, we really wanted to highlight the beauty of the country, and then just the wonderful people that are located all over. Some of whom serve in our military.”
The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus performed 15 American classics and songs echoing the spirit of the U.S. including “Fanfare For The Wanderer” by Master Sgt. Paul White, “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith and Francis Scott Key, “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthier, “Badinerie” from Concerto Grosso by William Bolcom, “The Climb” by Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe and “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane.
The band played multiple songs where they encouraged audience members to join in by singing and clapping during songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Life Is a Highway”.
Emvi Legaspi, a junior music major at NIU, said that he had multiple favorite songs performed at the concert.
“I would say their vocals, including their Broadway suite (“Broadway Through the Ages”), the Western band theme (“Songs of the Open Range”). I’ve also liked the climb and “Life is a Highway” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” at the end, which is pretty special,” Legaspi said.
Legaspi also said that he came out to see the Army Band because he is a big fan of them and wanted to see them for the first time live.
“I have been a very big fan of the Army Band. Of course, I’ve always loved hearing marching band music, but this is my first time hearing the band in person, because I’ve always watched it on the internet and stuff,” Legaspi said. “And it’s been a really, really good experience to hear them play, hear them sing and have fun with them.”
If you missed the performance and would like to give it a listen, you can go online to watch the live webcast of the performance.
