For more than 50 years, the Army Infantry Center Band has taken great pride in entertaining the soldiers, military families and civilian audiences of the Fort Benning, Columbus and Phenix City communities. Now, Gainesville area residents can experience this unique opportunity to hear some of the military's most-talented musicians at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
The Band's performances create esprit de corps among Soldiers and Veterans, as well as provide patriotic spirit within the civilian community. As a promoter of the Army's Strategic Outreach, the Band is involves in Soldier Support, Family Support, Recruiting Support, Public Diplomacy, Community Relations and Education.
The Band's seven performance groups (Ceremonial/Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands, Brass and Woodwind Quintets, Jazz and Rock Combos) set the standard for musical excellence and combined perform in excess of 500 missions a year. The Band annually performs a patriotic tour of cities in neighboring Florida and supports parades, festivals and programs throughout Georgia and Alabama.
Each Soldier assigned still has to maintain proficiency in physical and mental fitness as well as Army Warrior tasks, while preparing for the next performance. Being able to successfully balance these requirements and being given the opportunity to lead an ensemble are among the most rewarding aspects of being a military musician assigned to Fort Benning.
Considered by many to be the "best job in the Army", all musicians must meet and maintain expertise on their chosen instrument, a skill that must already be attained prior to enlisting. These skills are fine tuned at the U.S. Army's School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, following Basic Training, and a career musician may find him- or herself back at the school for advanced training throughout their career.
The band also prides itself in being a self-contained Company, managing its own administrative duties, operations, training, security and supply activities. Non-Commissioned Officers assigned are given even more opportunities to lead or supervise the operations of one of these functional areas. The Infantry Center motto, "Follow Me", is alive and well in the Infantry Center Band.
U.S. Army Infantry Center Band
Monday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.
Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
The performance is sponsored by University of Florida Performing Arts and The Gainesville Sun.
Ticket Prices: Free and open to the public (two tickets per request)
For tickets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to (two tickets per request):
Phillips Center Box Office
PO Box 112750
Gainesville, FL 32611
University of Florida Performing Arts: www.performingarts.ufl.edu
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