The position of drum major at the U.S. Military Academy is as time-honored and rich in tradition as the history of military music, with drum majors leading formations at West Point since 1777.
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The West Point Band is the Army's oldest active-duty band, founded on the beautiful and historic grounds of the United States Military Academy in 1817. The band traces its lineage to fifers and drummers who were part of Continental Army units at West Point during the time of the American Revolution. Officially established on June 8, 1817, the West Point Band recently celebrated its bicentennial. Although many changes have occurred over the years, music continues to be an essential aspect of daily life for the cadets and Soldiers at the academy. Today, the band continues to inspire and motivate the next generation of the Army’s leaders, as well as serving as musical ambassadors for the Army to the nation.
Learn More"But the real surprise came in Morton Gould's Symphony No. 4 (West Point), a work written for the West Point band in 1952... A somber first movement, "Epitaphs," gives way to the second and last, "Marches." At one point a marching machine, a wooden contraption, is deployed to depict the clomping of multitudes, and the effect was deeply moving... However in or out of fashion patriotism may be at the moment, this concert held an almost full house in thrall."
