*Thank you to everyone who sent their name ideas! We are no longer taking suggestions, and we will announce the winning album name soon.*

Hey Everyone!

We’re making a brand new album to celebrate Independence Day, and we need YOUR help naming it! Leave us a comment on this entry, or send your suggestions to Eric at eric@militarymusic.com with the subject line “July Fourth Album.”

If we choose YOUR suggestion, you’ll receive a FREE copy of the album this summer as well as a FREE album of your choosing from our existing library. You’ll also go down in history on the album’s liner notes as the genius who came up with the name!

The album will feature many of the military bands and ensembles playing music perfect for that backyard barbeque! Here’s part of the track listing to help inspire you:

Star Spangled Banner – Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants

Armed Force Medley – US Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus

God Bless America – The Army Band

Patriot’s Song Medley (Yankee Doodle Dandy, I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, Columbia the Gem of the Ocean, You’re a Grand Old Flag) – US Air Force Heritage of America Band

This Land is Your Land – USAF Singing Sergeants

This is My Country – Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants

Soldier’s On Parade (Screaming Eagles, Sky Soldiers, American Soldier, Big Red One, Follow Me, Dog Faced Soldier) – Army Field Band

We Were There – Army Band

Stars and Stripes Forever – Army Band

Have fun and don’t be afraid to be creative!

– The Altissimo! Crew

ey, everyone! It’s New Music Tuesday, and this week we’re celebrating the US Army Field Band! We’ve selected their album In My Dream as this week’s Disc on Demand release. This album was recorded to commemorate the first Africans who came to the New World who strove to develop a new voice for themselves, and In My Dream celebrates the heritage and musical contributions of those who dared to dream. Check it out below!

Also, to continue our celebrating, all US Army Field Band albums are on sale this week (see the following list of titles)! TODAY ONLY, they are on sale for 50% off, so be sure to take a look at some great music at a great price! NOW, they are 25% off until Monday, March 30.

The following album titles are eligible for discount:

Let Freedom Ring – Legacy of Aaron Copland
Legacy of Benny Carter – Legacy of Hank Levy – Legacy of Randall Thompson
Legacy of Robert Russell Bennett – Legacy of Nadia Boulanger
Legacy of Sammy Nestico – Legacy of Stan Kenton
The Musical Ambassadors of the Army
In Concert: Field Band Jazz Ambassadors
In Concert: Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus
Call To Duty – Christmas Celebration

Remember to use the Coupon Code FIELD to get the discount!!*
(*see note at bottom regarding Coupon Codes)

Have a Wonderful Tuesday,

Eric Scism

eric@militarymusic.com

On to the New Music!

The US Army Field Band’s album In My Dream features some really great music, from the well-known “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Respect” (both featured in medleys), to the hauntingly beautiful “Soon I Will Be Done With the Trouble of the World” and the uptempo jazzy “What a Little Moonlight Can Do.” In My Dream is a wonderful tribute to those who continue to “dream of a perfect place with but one human race,” and it features some of the best musical performers in the world, all of whom serve proudly as members of America’s Army.

Check it out, and use the Coupon Code below to get free shipping when you place your order!*

For FREE SHIPPING Use Coupon Code:

DREAM

*Note: At Checkout, only ONE Coupon Code may be redeemed on a purchase. Please place separate orders if you wish to purchase both "In My Dream" with free shipping and any Field Band albums with the special discount.*

In Case You Missed It…

Here is last week’s Disc on Demand release, Showcase by the United States Navy Band!! This is an incredible album of music by some of the United States’ best, and it ‘showcases’ the talent and musicianship of these men and women in service. Check it out here

Click here to get it at iTunes!

Help Us Name Our July 4th Album!

We’re putting together a July 4th album and we’re looking for some name ideas! If you have a suggestion, please send an email to Eric at eric@militarymusic.com with the subject line “July 4th Album.”

MUSINGS
Jack  Kopstein

With great pleasure we present the music for the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. It is an honor for Altissimo Recordings to have the opportunity to present this list of the Inaugural Prelude and the Inaugural Ceremony performed by the PRESIDENTS OWN United States Marine band under the direction of Colonel Michael J Colburn. Also featured was the United States Army Herald Trumpets. We are indebted to Staff Sgt Peter Rust USMC Public Affairs Specialist The Presidents Own United States Marine Band for kindly providing the information.

44th PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
U.S. Capitol, West Terrace
Colonel Michael J. Colburn, conducting
_________________________________
Inaugural Prelude
anonymous Washington’s Grand March (1784)
arranged by Richard Franko Goldman
Alexander Reinagle Jefferson’s March (1805)
arranged by Roger Smith
Francis Scala* President Lincoln’s Inaugural March (The Union March) (1861)
edited by MSgt Donald Patterson*
William Schuman Chester Overture
John Philip Sousa* March, “Washington Post”
John Philip Sousa* March, “Solid Men to the Front”
setting by Frank Ticheli “Amazing Grace”
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Rifle Regiment”
arranged by MSgt Stephen Bulla* Shaker Song and Hymn (“Simple Gifts”)
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Invincible Eagle”
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Gridiron Club”
Samuel Augustus Ward “America, the Beautiful”
arranged by Carmen Dragon
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Bride Elect”
John Philip Sousa* March, “The High School Cadets”
E. E. Bagley March on the Colors, Trio of “National Emblem”
John Philip Sousa* March, “El Capitan”
Fanfare by The Army Herald Trumpets
Colonel Michael J. Colburn, Director
*Member, U.S. Marine Band
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Glory of the Yankee Navy”
Fanfare by The Army Herald Trumpets
Edwin Franko Goldman March, “The Chimes of Liberty”
Fanfare by The Army Herald Trumpets
Ralph Vaughan Williams March, “Seventeen Come Sunday” from English Folk Song Suite
John Philip Sousa* March, “Daughters of Texas”
John Philip Sousa* March, ‘The Fairest of the Fair”
Four Ruffles and Flourishes (The Army Herald Trumpets)
James Sanderson “Hail to the Chief” (Marine Band)
Fanfare by The Army Herald Trumpets
Jaromir Weinberger “Homage to the Pioneers”
Fanfare by The Army Herald Trumpets
George Drumm “Hail, America!”
arranged by Tom Clark

Inaugural Ceremony
Four Ruffles and Flourishes (The Army Herald Trumpets)
“Hail Columbia” (Marine Band)
Four Ruffles and Flourishes (The Army Herald Trumpets)
James Sanderson “Hail to the Chief” (Marine Band)
John Stafford Smith The National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”
words by Francis Scott Key The U.S. Navy Sea Chanters perform a cappella
John Philip Sousa* March, “The Stars and Stripes Forever”
E. E. Bagley Retire the Colors, Trio of “National Emblem”
*Member, U.S. Marine Band

Many of the Sousa marches are well known to audiences across America and around the world as performed by THE PRESIDENTS OWN United States Marine Band. The earlier works such as Washington’s Grand march and Jefferson’s march are obscure. The list below is a sampling of historical background on the music performed and the composer arranger.

Title: Washington’s Grand March 1784
Composer: Arranged by Richard Franko Goldman
Background: First Published by Firth and Hall New York Music Publishers

Title: Jefferson’s March-1805
Composer: Alexander Reinagle –arranged by Roger Smith
Background: This march came from a larger collection of dance and cotillions published by G Willig of Philadelphia.

Title: President Lincoln’s Inaugural march (The Union March) 1861
Composer: Francis Scala edited by MSgt Donald Patterson
Background: Francis Scala was the Leader of the United States Marine band from 1855 to 1871.He also composed President Grants Inauguration march.

Title: Chester Overture
Composer: William Schuman
Background: This overture is based on the William Billings Hymn and American Marching song of the American Revolution.

Title: March Solid Men to the Front 1918
Composer: John Philip Sousa
Background: A hard hitting march from WW1. It is considered to be one of Sousa’s finest.

Title: Amazing Grace
Composer:  Setting By Frank Ticheli
Background:  The lyrics of the music were written by John Newton and the music may have had Scottish or Irish origins and first appeared as a hymn NEW BRITAIN 1829.

Title: March The Rifle Regiment 11886
Composer: John Philip Sousa
Background: Very popular march written for the 3rd  United States Infantry Fort Meyer Virginia

Title: Shaker Song and Hymn Simple Gifts
Composer:  Arranged by MSgt Stephen Bulla
Background: The lyrics and music of this Shaker dance song were written in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine. It has  become a popular American folk tune.

Title: March The Invincible Eagle
Composer:John Philip Sousa
Background: A sterling March written in 1901 as a dedication to the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo NY.

Title:  March The Gridiron Club 1928
Composer: John Philip Sousa
Background: Dedicated to the Gridiron Club whom are Editors , writers and correspondents an gather each year to “roast” a government official

Title: March The Bride Elect-1897
Composer: John Philip Sousa
Background: This march is from the opera by the same name.

Title: March National Emblem 1906
Composer: EE Bagley
Background: This march is one of America’s best loved and most popular marches-The Star Spangled Banner can be heard in the Trio

Title: March Chimes of Liberty 1922
Composer: Edwin Franko Goldman
Background: Goldman demonstrated both his undying patriotism and his enormous march writing ability

Title:  March Seventeen Come Sunday 1924
Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams
Background: RV Williams is one of Britain’s most respected composers and his work to write music for military band inspired many other composers to follow suit

Title: Homage to The Pioneers
Composer: Jaromir Weinberger
Background: This concert march was written in 1940 and was written for concert band

Title: Hail America
Composer: George Drumm  arranged Tom Clark
Background:George Drumm of Erdesbach, Germany is the  composer of the White House Hymn, Hail America. He came to America in 1904.

Hey all! It’s a new month, so we’re here to present our next inductee in the Community Band Spotlight. This month we’re introducing the Allentown Band from Allentown, PA. This band is really cool for a lot of reasons, so read on to find out why!

John Philip Sousa created dozens of the most popular American patriotic marches, also some of the most recognizable songs in American history.  These songs are performed countless times a year by both military ensembles and by small community-style bands. The Allentown Band of Allentown, PA, is no stranger to Sousa’s music. Dating back to 1828, they are the oldest civilian concert band in America, and past band members had the privilege of being recruited for Sousa’s own private professional band, no doubt returning to the Allentown Band with insight and expertise in how to perform Sousa pieces.

Because of this historical connection, the works of John Philip Sousa are a given for the Allentown Band. Conductor Ronald Demkee is responsible for the selection of all the music the band plays with input from the band and audience. According to Demkee, “the band enjoys and is comfortable playing a wide variety of music and styles,” but Sousa is the favorite.

In addition to having a Sousa heritage, the Allentown Band has had members who have served in the bands of the military, including the Marine Band, Army Band, Army Field Band, Navy Band, Air Force Band, and Coast Guard Band. Three of the seventy-two current members served in the Army Band, the US Military Academy Band of West Point, and the Air Force Band.

The seventy-two members of the band range in age from 17 to 83, and a number of high school students are part of the band. Something cool the Allentown Band does with younger students in the area is the Side By Side Program, where “up to fifty advanced instrumental music students from seven counties join to play side by side with members of the Allentown Band in a public concert in Allentown’s Symphony Hall.” This helps give the kids experience playing in a larger setting and also provides a fun opportunity for them to play with more experienced musicians who can no doubt teach them a thing or two!

What we thought was really cool about the Allentown Band is that they’ve recorded albums. And we’re not talking two or three CDs. We’re talking 24 volumes of a series called “Our Band Heritage.” These volumes have made it to listeners across all 50 states and to 17 countries around the world. They made their debut at the famous Carnegie Hall in 2007, and they’ve even traveled to Europe to perform in Switzerland, Austria, and France! While in France in June of 2008, they served as the US Representative in the St Tropez International Music Festival. Who better to represent the nation than her own premier civilian band!

With a heritage as rich in music and American history as theirs, we are proud to present the Allentown Band as Altissimo! Recordings’ Community Band Spotlight of March 2009.

For more information on the Allentown Band, visit their website.

*Special thanks to the Allentown Band’s Conductor Ronald Demkee for his help in preparing this article!! All quoted material is from correspondence with Mr Demkee*

**If you have a suggestion for a community band to feature in our Spotlight, please email info@militarymusic.com with the subject line Community Band Spotlight.

BAND TALK – JACK KOPSTEIN
STRIKE UP THE BAND

It is a distinct pleasure to present Lt. Col. Timothy J.  Holtan, Commander  of the WEST POINT BAND, as the subject of our interview for this issue of STRIKE UP THE BAND.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself – background including education, schools, instrument(s), career in the army, how long served, where you have served, if retired how long retired, and what are you doing in retirement?
A: Public school band director for eight years prior to joining the Army
Bachelor of Music Education, Montana State University
Masters of Music Education, University of Montana
Joined the Army in Fall of 1988 – over 20 years in Service
Assignment History:
Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, VA
Fort Monroe, VA (twice)
US Army Band, Ft Myer, VA
Dallas Wind Symphony/University of North Texas – one year Army “Training With Industry” program
Department of the Army Staff Bands Officer, Alexandria, VA
US Army Field Band, Ft Meade, MD
US Military Academy Band, West Point, NY

Q. What is your daily (weekly) band routine?
A: Rehearsals are usually 0900-1130, about four days per week.  Chamber groups rehearsal in the afternoon.

Q. Do you select the music played for concerts or is it done by committee?
A: I select the music for my programs, but I get input from a repertoire committee and the ensemble senior musicians.

Q. Do you have to spend a lot of time making arrangements for ceremonial performances?
A: We do more ceremonies than many bands, and as such don’t need too much additional training and unpublished arrangements.

Q. Are auditions for new band members done in collaboration with section leaders?
A: Section leaders choose music, select finalists from applications, and conduct the live auditions.  Section members, group leader, NCO-in-charge, and officers attend the auditions – by regulation, the commander is the final decision-maker unless there is a reason to temporarily delegate that authority.

Q. How important are recordings to you and the band?
A: Quite – they are very good for pushing the ensemble to higher levels of performance execution and the distribution of the recordings to libraries, radio stations and educational institutions is a less expensive way to connect with the American people.

Q. How  important to you are the various small ensembles  ie dinners etc which are often employed?
A: Chamber music is a thriving part of our organization.  Through active recitals and community performances, the small groups build a substantial repertoire that also serves well in military protocol situations.  They are a part of the job, which everyone understands and accepts.   It is also an excellent opportunity for our musicians to interact with senior leadership.

Q.  What is your view on the future of  military bands  worldwide?
A: I expect that they will be around for many years.  Bands are an inherent part of the culture, and as the culture evolves, so do the military bands.

Q. What type of music do you feel most comfortable with? –Classical, Jazz Popular, Broadway, various?
A: I like it all.  That said, I do so much music at work, I don’t listen to much music at home.  When I do, it tends to be more classically or vocally focused.

Q. Briefly what is your opinion of the world of music today?
A: A mighty broad topic which I will narrow – I am very excited about music-making today.  This is primarily because of the increasingly high level of musicians that the universities and conservatories are producing.  Our organization has benefitted tremendously and the level of musicianship is increasing exponentially.  I’m extremely proud (and humbled) to be associated with these tremendous musicians, who do a great job a keeping live music vital in today’s society.

Lt. Col. Timothy J. Holtan
Commander
West Point Band

ey, everyone!
It’s New Music Tuesday, and to continue Military Birthday month, this week we’re celebrating the United States Navy! We recently got to see the Navy Band live, and it was quite a show. We’ve selected the US Navy Band’s album Showcase as this week’s Disc on Demand release, and it is a stellar album by a talented group of musicians, so check it out below.

Also, all US Navy albums (excluding new release “Showcase”) are on sale this week! TODAY ONLY, they are on sale for 50% off, so be sure to take a look at some great music at a great price! After today, they’ll be 25% off until Monday, March 16. NOW through MONDAY MARCH 16, US Navy albums are 25% off!! A few of our favorites are below, so click on them to see them at the website!

*Remember to use the Coupon Code NAVY to get the discount!!*

Have a Wonderful Tuesday,

Eric Scism

eric@militarymusic.com

On to the New Music!

Showcase spotlights the incredible amount of talent and diversity of The United States Navy Band and its specialty groups, including the Sea Chanter Chorus and Commodores jazz ensemble. Several tracks are original compositions or were arranged by the members of the band. Showcase is just one more great example of why the very talented United States Navy Band is the official band of the Navy!!

Check it out, and use the Coupon Code below to get free shipping when you place your order!

For FREE SHIPPING Use Coupon Code:

NAVYSHIP

And In Case You Missed It…

Here is last week’s Disc on Demand release, South by the United States Coast Guard’s Dixieland Jazz Band!! It’s an album of fantastic New Orleans style jazz music with a little Mardi Gras energy, and the jazzy rhythm of the songs is sure to put you in a great mood! Be sure to check it out!