Kentucky Army National Guard's 202nd Army Band takes on band duties with TRADOC, Fort Eustis

By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Baker

Kentucky National Guard

FORT EUSTIS, Va. - The mission of Army bands is to provide music throughout the spectrum of military operations to instill in our forces the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and to promote our national interests at home and abroad.

The 202nd Army Band did just that this summer during a mission at Fort Eustis, Va., backfilling for the Training and Doctrine Command Band while Soldiers from that unit were on block leave.

 “Our Soldiers performed every mission required in an exemplary manner and excelled in their Mobilization Readiness Evaluation,” said Army 1st Sgt. James Wallace, first sergeant of the 202nd Army Band. “Great training. Great troops."

Soldiers from the unit took part in lunchtime "Bach's lunch" performances, performances for a command reception and a concert series held in a local park. Additionally, the 202nd Army Band provided marching performances for two Change of Command ceremonies with inspections of the troops.

For Sgt. Jennifer Bowling, a trumpet and bugle player with the band who performed during numerous ceremonies, it was the chance to perform taps during military funerals that had a special significance for her.

"Taps honors members of the armed forces in a way words can't express,” said Bowling. “As the great granddaughter of an Army trumpet player, performing taps for military funerals holds special meaning for me because it allows me to give honors to the men and women who served as he did."

Filling in at Fort Eustis also gave the Soldiers another opportunity to not only showcase their talents and continue to excel as a group but also for individual members to grow as musicians and as Soldiers, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Greg Stepp, commander of the 202nd Army Band.

"As the 202nd moves through personnel transitions, the opportunity to develop new leaders in a real world environment was invaluable,” he said.  “New challenges were provided for Soldiers to develop their leadership abilities and musical abilities while providing musical support for Fort Eustis and TRADOC."

And providing that musical support is something of great importance.

"The opportunity to support TRADOC in their public outreach mission is of great significance, said Stepp, adding that the band proved themselves again as mission capable during their time at Fort Eustis.

Military Bands Perform for Thousands in Times Square

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Isaiah Sellers, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Military bands from across the sea services performed for thousands at Times Square in support of Fleet Week New York 2012 and the the Bicentenial of the War of 1812 May 27.

The Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bands performed before a captive audience in one of the heaviest traffic areas of New York City.

Spectators from across the globe traveled to take part in the festivities surrounding Fleet Week.

"We heard the band perform last year and decided that we would not miss it again," said Sara Baynum, a spectator from North Carolina. "They played beautifully."

The U.S. Navy New Orleans Jazz Band, Quantico Marine Corps Band and Coast Guard Dixieland Band caught the attention of wandering tourists and drew them in to the festivities.

"We came to New York to celebrate our three-year marriage anniversary. We heard the music from three blocks over and decided to come over and see where it was coming from," said Douglas Fagan, a native of Chicago.

The joint efforts of each sea service's band provided entertainment to citizens that normally would not have had the opportunity to experience.

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of the sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and coalition nations will arrive aboard the ships.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

For more information, visit the official Fleet Week New York City Web site at www.fleetweeknewyork.com or find "Fleet Week New York" on Facebook.

Missouri Air Guard band 'Sidewinder' performs at White House

By Bill Phelan

Missouri National Guard

WASHINGTON (4/11/12) – Sidewinder, the rock band element of the St. Louis, Mo.-based 571st Missouri Air National Guard Band made famous by a YouTube video, performed at the White House today in front of the Obama, National Guard senior leaders and other attendees.

The 10-member ensemble was invited to perform for First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joseph Biden, marking the one-year anniversary of the Joining Forces Initiative, a military family support program spearheaded by both women.

"We are thrilled," said Air Force Maj. John Arata, Sidewinder band leader and commanding officer of the 571st. "This is a unique opportunity for us to represent the Air National Guard on a national stage and share what military bands do to support troop morale and build international relationships."

According to Arata, band members were told just last week that they would be making the trip to Washington after Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden saw videos of the band's performances.

"The First Lady's Joining Forces Initiative builds troop support in the American public particularly through the use of social and shared media," Arata said. "Our YouTube video is a perfect example of how modern, shared media can build troop support."

That video of Sidewinder performing "Rolling in the Deep," by Adele, while deployed to the Middle East last summer went viral and was viewed more than two million times. Its popularity led to the band appearing on the "Ellen" DeGeneres Show, "Entertainment Tonight," "Good Morning America," and "Fox and Friends." Band vocalist, Air Force Staff Sgt. Angie Johnson, also appeared on the hit NBC show "The Voice."

But all of that pales in comparison to playing at the White House.

"Performing at the White House is the opportunity of a lifetime, especially for a regional band," Arata said. "We're very motivated to present a high quality, professional product and we look forward to thanking the First Lady and Mrs. Biden for the opportunity to be a part of this significant event."

Sidewinder performed three songs at the White House, including "Rolling in the Deep," a popular song by professional vocalist Adele.

In addition to Arata and Johnson, Sidewinder band members include Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Navarro; Staff Sgt. Ransom Miller; Staff Sgt. Devin LaRue; Staff Sgt. Brian Owens; Tech. Sgt. John Cavanaugh; Staff Sgt. Toby Callaway; Tech. Sgt. Kevin Maret; and Tech. Sgt. Joey Castilleja.

The 571st Air National Guard Band is a subordinate unit of the 131st Bomb Wing, headquartered at Whiteman Air Force Base.

US 7th Fleet Band Mentors Misawa Air Base Students

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford, U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (NNS) -- Members of U.S. 7th Fleet Band visited Misawa Air Base and helped mentor local elementary school orchestra members March 8.

The Band's Shonan Brass Quartet spent the afternoon with Sollars Elementary School students, and offered assistance as the children prepare for the school's upcoming spring concert.

The quartet is in Misawa to perform for a retirement ceremony, but decided to maximize their stay in Misawa by helping out young musicians, and by also performing a free, evening concert for Misawa-area residents.

"We always enjoy playing up here in Misawa, but we really enjoy working with the kids, and it definitely keeps us on our toes," said Musician 2nd Class Tony Smouse, a member of the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, who also worked as a music teacher prior to enlisting in the Navy. "I think it definitely prevents us from slacking on our fundamentals, so when we teach children the importance of good posture and good breath support, we have to be a good examples ourselves and reinforce those qualities."

The quartet members worked with the school's fifth and sixth grade orchestra members, and offered advice and encouragement to the students.

"I learned a lot from them," said Sophia Caraballo, a student at Sollars Elementary School, who also attended the concert. "It was fun, and I think it will help us be better musicians in the future."

Sollars Elementary School Music Teacher, Michael Pavlik, said the band's visit will have a lasting impact on the students.

"The kids absolutely loved having the band here," said Pavlik. "They were really, really engaged and it was fantastic to observe.

"During their visit, we broke up the session between fifth and sixth graders," he said. "So after the fifth graders were dismissed, many stayed behind just to listen and learn what the band members had to say to the sixth graders."

Pavlik also said about 90 percent of his students were in attendance for the evening concert, which many found inspirational.

"It was really cool for them to observe musicians of this caliber," said Pavlik. "To be able to hear music played at that level, I think it really helped the kids, and hopefully it will motivate them to continue playing."

Following the concert, Smouse said he was gratified to see the progress the children made, and their enthusiasm for music.

"They were great kids. They were bright and really absorbed the information very quickly," he said. "From the first note they played until we finished, the progress they made was very noticeable."

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

North Dakota National Guard musicians win Army honors

North Dakota National Guard

Courtesy Report

FARGO, N.D. (3/9/12) - Two Soldiers from the North Dakota National Guard’s 188th Army Band were honored as among the Army’s best Feb. 27.

 Army Sgt. DeAnn Fylling was named 2011 Reserve Component Army Band Junior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year while Army Spc. Aaron Bedford was runner-up for the 2011 Reserve Component Army Band Soldier of the Year.

“Congratulations to Sergeant Fylling and Specialist Bedford on this outstanding accomplishment,” said Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general.

“North Dakota’s 188th Army Band truly is the finest in the entire National Guard, and having two of their Soldiers chosen for such an honor further validates that,” he said.

 The Band Soldier of the Year contest is an annual event to identify the most outstanding Soldier-musicians in the Army. The competition evaluates candidates’ leadership abilities, artistic integrity, military accomplishments and organizational and planning skills. A candidate must excel in musical proficiency and physical fitness to qualify for the competition.

“It’s extremely gratifying to have other band leaders validate my opinions of these soldiers,” said Warrant Officer Dave, 188th Army Band commander. “They excelled at every category of the competition.”

Fylling joined the Guard in 2001 and works full time for the Guard’s Military Funeral Honors program in Bismarck. She plays saxophone for the band.

“I was very surprised that I won,” Fylling said. “I knew that it was an Army-wide competition and that lots of noncommissioned officers would be competing. It was really just a shot in the dark — I wanted to know where I stood among my peers.”

She graduated in 2001 from Minot’s Bishop Ryan High School. Her father, Brian Hickel, and her mother, Shelli Hickel, live in Minot. Fylling earned an education degree from Jamestown College in 2005.

 Bedford, a percussionist with the band, said the Band Soldier of Year audition was a challenging test.

“I had to prepare to play mallets, snare drum and drum set,” he said. “The audition tests you on all the categories, from concert and marching music to jazz, funk and country.”

Bedford joined the military in 2000 and served four years on active duty in the Marine Corps. He deployed to Iraq from 2009 to 2010 with the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division Band.

Bedford is a 1999 graduate of Fargo South High School. His parents, David and Laurie Bedford, live in Fargo. He is studying medical laboratory sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

“Sergeant Fylling and Specialist Bedford stand out because of their individual work and dedication,” Stordalen said.

“These Soldiers’ achievements show that the band is raising its standards,” he said. “The band’s soldiers asked for more challenges and tougher training, and we are working every drill to meet the high expectations we’ve set for ourselves.”