The Fall Tour by The U.S. Army Field Band continued through the states of Arkansas and Missouri.  The scenic town of Eureka Springs was the site of a concert led by our Deputy Commander, Major Bruce Pulver.  The drive into the town featured some gorgeous mountain scenery (as well as a real challenge for anyone susceptible to motion sickness).  Before the concert was an event that never ceases to inspire me.  The oath each one of us swears to defend the Constitution has so much meaning and says so much about what the American Soldier is all about.  SFC Sarah McIver (photo taken by her husband, SFC Rob McIver) takes the oath of enlistment on a pretty historic day.  Exactly 80 years earlier, the theater the Band & Chorus performed at was opened with a concert by the Sousa Band led by John Philip Sousa.

The music performed by the Soldiers of The U.S. Army Field Band is terrific but it is shaped by our great sound engineers.  Here is SFC Mack McLaughlin during a concert in Russellville, AR.  He does a super job of always making us sound good.

Why do people come by the thousands to our concerts?  It's a chance to hear amazing music of all types but also to enjoy that music performed with real personality and flair.  Here, SFC Samuel Chung, dazzles the crowd as Figaro, the Barber of Seville.  Sam was born in Seoul, Korea and now serves proudly as a Soldier in America's Army.

At many of our concerts, we welcome leading music educators as guest conductors.  We also invite many of the Army's musical leaders to join the Musical Ambassadors of the Army.  This is Chief Warrant Officer Keith Dortch, Commander of the Arkansas Army National Guard's 106th Army Band.

At many of our concerts, we open by performing the National Anthem with a local color guard.  Many of them are high school students from the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or cadets attending college funded by the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps.  Here's one of the color guards in Jonesboro, AR. 

We often include local college or high school musicians with The Army Field Band during one selection.  These enthusiastic students in Kennett, MO wanted a group picture after the concert.

The next posting will provide some highlights from concerts in Tennessee.

Follow the Band & Chorus at www.facebook.com/fieldband.  If you live in the Baltimore/Washington area, be sure to get free tickets to our holiday concert series, "Sound the Bells," at www.ArmyFieldBand.com.