money U.S. Navy Band to perform May 3 at Washington High School
MASSILLON – The U.S. Navy's premier wind ensemble will make Washington High School one of its upcoming port stops.
Massillon has been tapped as one of 13 cities among a half-dozen states to host a 2022 performance by the U.S. Navy Band. The 56-member group is one of the signature outreach programs within the military organization.
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Massillon Municipal Judge Edward Elum, a Navy veteran, recalled that the band came through Stark County once before, performing in the late 2000s. He said American Legion Post. No. 224 hosted a meal or two for the music group and may have assisted in housing members at a local hotel.
"It's a great honor for Massillon to have (the band) come here," said Elum. "They are all pros and extremely talented. You can't beat 'em."
The Navy band is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. May 3 in the high school auditorium. The nearly two hour performance is free and open to the public.
Multiple Ohio cities slated for Navy band gigs
Numerous cities in Ohio were selected this year to host a live show by the U.S. Navy Band, according to Musician 1st Class Anastasia Bonotto, a Navy public affairs specialist.
Ashland, Ashtabula and Pickerington are some other Ohio municipalities where the band is slated to perform in 2022.
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"We focus on different parts of the country each year, and this year was Ohio," she said.
A wing of the Navy band — the Sea Chanters — is also taking part in a tour of Ohio. Planned stops include Dayton, Marietta, Marion, Mason and Newark.
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The U.S. Navy Band has been performing public concerts and participating in public events for more than 95 years. A wide array of musical marches, patriotic and big band selections, orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble numbers are part of every performance.
Bonotto said attendees of the Massillon show can also expect an Armed Forces medley that includes parts of theme songs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
There will be no vocalist solos; however, a saxophonist is likely to perform individually for an unspecified time, Bonotto said. Band members are to don blue service dress uniforms.
The band is based in Washington, D.C.
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Ensembles from the band tour nationally about 12-to 15 weeks per year, according to a news release from the Navy. Sailors in the group are full-time, professional musicians.
Most members of the group have undergraduate degrees in music, while some have graduate degrees.
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: U.S. Navy Band slates Massillon performance at Washington High School
