Saturday July 27th
7:30pm
Trophy Point
West Point, NY
Embark on a musical journey inspired by nature’s beauty, featuring music from Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony to classics like “Shenandoah” and Alfred Reed’s “Hounds of Spring.” Join us as we celebrate the beauty and majesty of our country, from the towering peaks to the endless plains, in an unforgettable musical odyssey.
Program
The West Point Band is proud to release its recording of the Roy Harris Symphony for Band, a monumental work commissioned as part of the United States Military Academy's sesquicentennial celebration in 1952. Through this recording, the West Point Band invites listeners to explore and appreciate the significance of this iconic composition, shining a light on a lesser-known masterpiece in American musical history.
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."
"I first heard a West Point music performance in 1974 when my cousin (Edward M. Sanders) graduated with David Petraeus. Then last year, I had the opportunity to hear West Point perform at my daughter's college, Marywood University, in a tribute to veterans. Their performance was absolutely spectacular! Their program was patriotic perfection and their musicianship was absolute musical mastery."
"Listening to the West Point Band play these powerful musical pieces and interact as they practiced, I learned how to become a better leader."
Tonight's BHB concert in Beacon has been cancelled due to weather. There will be no inclement weather date for this event.