So here we are at the African Land Forces Summit, a huge gathering of senior Army leaders from the United States and most African nations. This annual event is organized by the Southern European Task Force—Africa, a two-star U.S. Army command, but the host nation varies from year to year. Since the overarching theme is …
So some ESPN sports commentator named Jim Rome tweeted: …and among the tweet rebuttals from band directors, students, and band enthusiasts was this one from the U.S. Army Field Band: …which garnered enough attention across the country that Fox News interviewed a representative from the band. I’ve been thinking about it enough in the last 24 hours that (gasp!) …
You often read about artists and composers who are inspired by nature or their surroundings. Many are convinced that the quality and the type of art they create is a direct result of the environment in which it was created. If this were true in my case, the music I’ve written lately would be brown, …
The jar has 540 kisses. One for each kid. Three per day for 180 days. When the jar is empty of Daddy’s Kisses, Daddy comes home. Well that’s the happy ending we’re all looking forward to, but let’s not dance around the subject: leaving home this morning was a horrible experience. Saying goodbye to my …
This morning the Army Chorus performed in the Capitol Rotunda for the unveiling of a new statue of Ronald Reagan. Many political heavy-hitters (particularly republicans, of course) were in attendance, including John McCain and Michael Steele. Nancy Pelosi was the host, as is customary for a Congressional event. Performing for the Nation’s leaders is a …
This was my Facebook status for a short time: “Memorial Day is a day we reflect on the sacrifices American men and women have made to secure the freedoms we all enjoy. It is also a day to have our pictures taken with superstars.” And superstars there were at the national Memorial Day concert given …
A few weeks ago I attended my first American Choral Directors Association convention in Oklahoma City. It was a terrific experience allowing me, the accidental chorus conductor the opportunity to network and learn from those in the choral music world. As I ventured from workshops to concerts, I kept thinking to myself the Army Chorus should …
The official picture from my first trip to the White House: A couple of nights after this picture was taken, we went to sing at the Chairman of the Joint Chief’s quarters for a holiday party. Here’s me and the Chorus with Admiral Mullen and his wife: And although I don’t have a picture of …
It has been a big weekend. Hardly anyone I talked to could believe it, but it was the truth: I had never before been to New York City. I hear that if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere. And what a heckuva way to see New York for the first time…conducting …
Music and the military sounds like a bizarre marriage, and it is. It often surprises me, however, that when it’s done well, music serves the military. It keeps soldiers in step, makes them march a little taller, makes them feel good and proud about what they do, and picks them up when they’re feeling down. Music …