Army Band, Chorus tickets available

“Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail, as the caissons go rolling along!”  Once again, we at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center are honored to host the United States Army Field Band & Soldier’s Chorus.  We are only two weeks out from their arrival on Thursday, November 8 concert.

Teaming with Times-Bulletin Media, tickets will be released starting Thursday, October 25, beginning at noon.  You may pick tickets up at the Times-Bulletin office on Fox Road in Van Wert or at the NPAC Box Office on State Route 118 South.  Please bring the ad from the newspaper or fill one out when you pick up your tickets.  We appreciate the Times-Bulletin’s sponsorship of this fine concert.

So, what exactly is a caisson?  Although there are numerous definitions of a caisson, the one the army is referring to is a horse-drawn, two wheeled carrier of artillery ammunition.  You’ve no doubt seen old pictures of these in past wars.  Now you can more vividly imagine those dusty trails too!

Known as “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army”, the Field Band & Chorus is actually housed out of Fort Meade, Md., right outside of Washington, D.C.  Its primary purpose is to foster support of the American people for members of the armed forces and support diplomatic efforts around the world.  Since their inception in 1946, they have appeared in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries and on four continents.  And now, if you are fortunate enough to get one of the free tickets, you can hear them right here in Van Wert, all because we have the Niswonger Performing Arts Center!

General Jacob L. Deters, commanding general, Army Ground Forces, 1946 stated as its mission, “I want you to organize a band that will carry into the grassroots of our country the story of our magnificent Army, its glorious traditions and achievements; and of the great symbol of American manhood- the ground soldier.”

We are fortunate to have not only the Army Band, but also the Soldier’s Chorus.  The chorus was founded in 1957 as the vocal complement of The United States Army Field Band.  The 29-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band.  Their concert repertoire often includes the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet, and Americana.

When a national event occurs, it is often the Army Field Band & Chorus that is called upon for service.  I remember watching the Memorial Day service on TV this past May and recognized numerous members of the chorus who had earlier performed in Van Wert, back in 2007.  (It’s hard to believe it has been five years since we last hosted them.)  Other notable performances have been with the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit, Dallas and National Symphony Orchestras, the Kennedy Center Honors Programs, the 750th anniversary of Berlin, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, and state funerals, including that of President Ronald Reagan.

I would hope that we show the respect and appreciation for the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldier’s Chorus by giving them a respectful standing ovation when they are introduced.  They represent all the Army soldiers who help protect us and I just know that people in our Van Wert area who will be attending, really appreciate this.  Let’s let them see it and let’s let them know we appreciate them making us a stop on their busy touring schedule.

Noted English composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams perhaps said it best when he quoted, “The art of music above all other arts is the expression of the soul of a nation.”

Get your tickets early before they run out!

FINÉ.