FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 9, 2012) The Army Ground Forces Band celebrated the Army's 237th birthday with a lively, patriotic concert at Fayetteville State University's Seabrook Auditorium, Saturday, June 9.
Sponsored by Elite Magazine, the concert included a special appearance by the Victory Belles. This female trio, based out of the World War II Museum in New Orleans, tours the world performing a canteen-style show á la the Andrews Sisters.
The music performed ranged from Glenn Miller's "American Patrol" to Elmer Bernstein's "Sons of Katie Elder," from John Philip Sousa marches to a "West Side Story" selection, from a transportation medley to a G.I. medley, from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to "God Bless the U.S.A."
"It was a fun, family-friendly evening of entertainment that was patriotic, a bit nostalgic, a musical celebration of the spirit of America, and a great way to celebrate the Army's birthday," said Maj. Treg E. Ancelet, the AGFB band commander.
Victory Belle Mandi Ridgedell added, "It was a real treat for us! We usually have to perform with recorded music and not with a live band -- especially one as wonderful as this one."
The Army Ground Forces Band provides musical support for the Army's largest command, U.S. Army Forces Command (www.forscom.army.mil). Both are stationed at Fort Bragg.
In addition to carrying out many on-post ceremonial music missions, the band and it various ensembles have been busy since moving here last summer introducing themselves to the citizens of North Carolina, performing free concerts, and holding master classes and clinics at schools and colleges around the region.
The 64 Soldiers assigned to The Army Ground Forces Band have passed highly selective auditions and are among the finest musicians in the Army Band Program.
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