I recently returned from a weekend working with over 160 high school students from the northeast portion of Pennsylvania.  This was an honors band selected from 56 high schools spread over nine counties.  What a treat to be with these great young Americans!  An honors band event like this involves months of coordination to select and distribute the music but once the students arrive, the real work begins; very intense rehearsals going from 0830 to 2200 with only short breaks.  

Their work paid off --- the concert was light years ahead of where they had started just 48 hours earlier.  Throughout the weekend we had an opportunity to learn more about each other; every Soldier should eagerly tell their Army Story!  The concert ended with a medley of the songs of the Army Forces.  Just as with every concert by The United States Army Field Band, veterans and their families were invited to stand, but we added a twist.  Students in the band with relatives who had served also stood and shared in the pride each Soldier feels when we hear "The Army Goes Rolling Along."

After the concert, lots of photos were taken.  Here I'm joined by some wonderful young Americans from Bradford County.

America's Big Band - the Jazz Ambassadors, is currently on the road playing to capacity audiences in the upper Midwest.  You can follow them on www.facebook.com/jazzambassadors or www.twitter.com/jazzambassadors .  On Monday, the Concert Band and Soldiers's Chorus will hit the road and there will be frequent updates on those performances here.  To see where performances will be and get information on how to get free tickets, visit www.ArmyFieldBand.com.