Submitted by COL Bruce R. Pulver, Commander, The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own)
Each December, thousands of people flock to the American Holiday Festival presented by Pershing’s Own. The theme for this year’s concert was “Let It Snow!” Unbeknownst to us at the time, our theatrical “Winter Wonderland” foreshadowed the frigid, arctic temperatures that soon descended upon Washington, D.C.
Just before New Year’s, we received the sad news of former President Carter’s passing and immediately prepared to support the State Funeral during what was already forecast to be an unusually packed month for January. The already complex circumstances were further exacerbated by a blizzard bearing down on Washington, D.C.
Thankfully, the amount of snowfall allowed for roads to be adequately cleared in and around the city. However, the extreme temperatures caused the Band's musical valves and slides to freeze within seconds of exposure. Fortunately, we anticipated these challenges and came prepared with music that could be performed using only open valves (which we’d also shared with all the Bands).
A 99-piece marching band from Pershing’s Own led the funeral procession up Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues to the Capitol. There, the Band rendered honors and played as the casket was carried up the steps of the Capitol. Despite being equipped with the “Freeze-out” march and chorale to compensate for inoperable instruments, the brutal cold still presented a significant challenge in the form of numb fingers, lips, and more. But the musicians overcame the elements and played with exceptional beauty and reverence.
Inside the Rotunda, The U.S. Army Brass Quintet provided music as dignitaries paid their respects.
Vocalists from The U.S. Army Chorus were joined by the other Services in a joint chorus that sang during the Memorial Service at the National Cathedral. Members of our State Funeral team also coordinated with and supported all the Service Bands in the National Capitol Region, as well as the 282d Army Band, 3ID Band, 101st Airborne Division Band, TRADOC Band, and the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, who all performed admirably for memorial services in Georgia.
Quickly shifting gears, Pershing’s Own collaborated the following week with our neighbors at The Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps (FDC) in farewell ceremonies for outgoing Secretary of the Army Wormuth, Secretary of Defense Austin, and President Biden.
More sub-freezing temperatures prompted the relocation of events for the 60th Presidential Inauguration indoors. Members of Pershing’s Own supported the swearing-in ceremony, Military “First Honors” ceremony (once again collaborating with FDC), and the Inaugural Balls. The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets performed at the indoor “parade” along with The Army Field Band.
Pershing’s Own finished out the marathon month of January 2025 by hosting our annual Tuba Euphonium Workshop. In addition to our very own MSG Jon Voth and SSG Brandon Benson, featured soloists included: Mark Glover, Adam Frey, Marc Dickman, Velvet Brown, Beth Wiese, and Oystein Baadsvik.
In February, the Herald Trumpets traveled to San Antonio, TX (alas… bringing cold weather with us from D.C.) and presented a performance and clinic with multimedia for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).
TMEA coincided with Rodeo season, so the Herald Trumpets also took the opportunity to kick off the festivities on Military Night by performing the National Anthem.
Later in February, The Army Chorus & Strings performed our first White House dinner for the current administration, which was well received by POTUS, FLOTUS, Cabinet Members, and Governors from across the Nation.
We wrapped up the month of February with a trip to Chattanooga to perform a concert in conjunction with the American Bandmasters Association convention. This concert featured a bevy of guest conductors, including three former TUSAB Commanders, composer Frank Ticheli, and more.
In March, we held the American Trombone Workshop. Once again featuring amazing guest soloists, including TUSAB Principal Trombonist MSG Samuel Woodhead, SMSgt Christine Jones, Andy Hunter, Brett Baker, Ron Wilkins, and Gracie Potter.
The Herald Trumpets and the Army Strings had the honor of taking part in the Grand Opening ceremony for the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, TX.
At the end of March, we held a gathering to unveil the contents of a time capsule removed from the cornerstone of Brucker Hall. The capsule contained a treasure trove of historical photos, recordings, and documents that provided a rare glimpse into the unit’s heritage at the midway point of our 100-year history. The event, organized and conducted by the unit history team, was attended by many Alumni and dignitaries, including Library of Congress Musicologist, Loras Schissel, and Pershing’s Own historian and author, Dr. David C. McCormick.
All the members of “Pershing’s Own” are looking forward to the warmer temperatures of Spring, as well as the myriad musical missions scheduled in the coming weeks and months.
