62nd soldiers to give communities musical holiday gifts

Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Bill Hess

[SandRat]

FORT HUACHUCA — When one thinks of Christmas, music is always involved, said the 62nd U.S. Army Band commander.

“No other season is more identified with music than Christmas,” Chief Warrant Officer Tom Bauer said Monday.

In a room near his office on Fort Huachuca, some band members were packing up after rehearsing, while in another room, members of the band’s jazz combo were practicing some of the music they will play at a number of venues before Dec. 20.

People who believe all an Army band does is march to music in any number of ceremonies — such as changes-of-command, retirements or other functions — may be technically correct, but Bauer said there is more to soldier musicians than playing marches.

And during December holidays, the sounds of the season heighten the joy of the special time, he said.

Not only will solders and their families on this southern Arizona Army post hear the musicianship of the 62nd this month, so will the off-fort community, Bauer said.

Various groups of the band — different music performance teams, such as brass, rock and jazz, as well as the entire 37-member concert ensemble — will be out playing seasonal sounds, the band commander said.

Additionally, Bauer said some band members will go around to the different housing areas on the post and do some caroling.

For the off-post community the main event will be a 70-minute free concert beginning at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the Buena High School Performing Arts Center.

With no intermission, the concert band will perform, as will each of the special groups, which are integral parts of the whole band, he said.

“I’ve been listening to Christmas music since September to decide what to play,” the band commander said.

Researching the music also means finding material “to challenge the musicians,” he added.

While the 62nd has a separate brass group, during the holiday season there will be a special brass choir, basically two five-member groups, said Bauer, a classically-trained trombonist who will perform with what he calls “a brass quintet on steroids.”

Part of the music the special section will perform is played by the London Brass, a renowned British group, he said.

The melodic sounds of jazz will add to the holiday music, Bauer said adding they too will stretch their musical expertise.

The rock group will perform Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” the band commander said.

Another way of reaching out to the off-post community will be two events to be held at the Mall at Sierra Vista, he said.

One will include 10 band members going around the mall to entertain shoppers beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Bauer said, adding on the 14th, again at 6 p.m., the jazz ensemble will perform on stage setup.

The on- and off-post communities are going to be treated to “random acts of music,” the band commander said, noting small musical groups will entertain at on-post and off-post offices and other venues.

At each stop, the groups will perform three or four pieces, the 62nd’s commander said.

And during all the performances people will hear many favorites including one which is especially significant to him, remembering it as a child.

“It’s not Christmas until you hear Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” Bauer said.

So expect to hear it.

[SandRat]

Merry Christmas!

[luvie]

Awesome...thanks for the ping! :)

[SandRat]

This town gives love to the troops and the troops give love back.

[luvie]

That’s what makes it wonderful! :)

[fatima]

Bump.