The U.S. Army Band Aca,!A"PershingAca,!a,,cs OwnAca,!A? performed its annual Aca,!A"A Holiday FestivalAca,!A? December 11-13. The show was attended by an estimated 13,000 people during four performances at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, in Washington D.C. In addition, the Sunday afternoon performance was broadcast live to soldiers stationed around the world by The Pentagon Channel.
The concert began with a recorded introduction from SMA Kenneth O. Preston. He reminded everyone of the importance of Aca,!A"celebrating our traditions,Aca,!A? and congratulated the men and women who serve their country and show their Aca,!A"willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.Aca,!A?
COL Thomas Rotondi, Jr., leader and commander of The U.S. Army Band Aca,!A"PershingAca,!a,,cs Own,Aca,!A? kicked off the performances with The U.S. Army Orchestra and Army Chorus in Robert ShawAca,!a,,cs Aca,!A"The Many Moods of ChristmasAca,!A?Aca,!"a medley of traditional holiday songs. In keeping with the seasonal feel, soprano SFC Leigh Ann Hinton took the stage to sing Aca,!A"O Holy NightAca,!A? dressed in an ivory gown that glowed golden in the stage lights. She mesmerized the audience with her beautiful, strong voice.
The entrance of the vocalists of The U.S. Army Band Downrange, also in festive attire, followed a performance by the Orchestra of Aca,!A"He Is Born, Most Wonderful Child.Aca,!A? The men and women of Downrange entertained with frolicsome dancing and cheery smiles as they sang a list of Holiday favorites including, Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs the Most Wonderful Time of The Year,Aca,!A? Aca,!A"Sleigh Ride,Aca,!A? a calypso-style Aca,!A"Winter Wonderland,Aca,!A? and a jazzy Aca,!A"Sevivon, Sov, Sov, Sov.Aca,!A? They were even joined onstage by Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!
Following the energy of Downrange, SGM Anthony W. Nalker, piano, MSG Harold Summey, drums, and SSG Eric Seay, bass, changed moods with the Vince Guaraldi classic Aca,!A"Christmas Time Is Here.Aca,!A? The rendition was so true, and the mood it created so authentic, that you could practically see the big, white snowflakes falling on Linus and Charlie Brown as they walked and talked about Christmas.
Arguably, the group that stole the show was the five-piece bluegrass ensemble composed of CW5 Charles H. Vollherbst, MSG Michael Ford, SSG Marlisa Woods, SSG Dean Woods, and SSG Kristopher Armstrong. Singing in stunning 4-part harmony and playing the guitar, banjo, fiddle, string bass, and harmonica, their Bluegrass Christmas Medley had the crowd clapping in time and hootinAca,!a,,c and hollerinAca,!a,,c their applause. Next, SSG Christal J. Rheams kept the hands clapping with a spirited rendition of the gospel favorite Aca,!A"Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child."
As the concert came to a close, a video montage of The Sergeant Major of the Army Aca,!A"Hope and Freedom Tour,Aca,!A? Aca,!" a USO sponsored tour in which members of the U.S. Army Band join a contingent of USO performers to entertain the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the holidays Aca,!" was followed by an emotionally perfect rendition of Aca,!A"Let There Be Peace on Earth,Aca,!A? by SFC Leigh Ann Hinton. The concert concluded with a full-cast performance of Aca,!A"Hark the Herald Angels Sing,Aca,!A? and a rousing standing ovation for The U.S. Army Band.
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