Upcoming Event Information

The West Point Band chamber recital series will continue on Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 p.m. in the Jewish Chapel with bassoonist Master Sgt. Chris Eberle, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, who is the principal bassoonist and frequent soloist with the Concert Band. Sharing the recital spotlight will be clarinetist Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Tibbs, originally from Henderson, North Carolina. This performance also includes Dr. Ruthanne Schempf, accompanist for the chamber series for over 25 years. She is the daughter of former West Point teacher of music, Colonel William Schempf, commander of the band from 1957-1974. Also featured will be Daniel Parrette, son of concert band principal clarinetist Sgt. 1st Class John Parrette and winner of the 2009 Youth Solo Competition. This performance is free and open to the public.

The recital will include Schumann’s Five Pieces in Folk Style for bassoon and piano; Three Arias from The Marriage of Figaro for two clarinets and bassoon by Mozart; Six Studies in English Folk Song for clarinet and piano by Ralph Vaughn Williams; and Beethoven’s Trio for Clarinet, Violoncello and Piano, Op. 11 for clarinet, bassoon, and piano.

Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy Band’s hotline at 845-938-2617, or check www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the concert.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli Presents a
Jazz Guitar Trio Recital

Guitarist Staff Sergeant Mark Tonelli will present a recital on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Egner Hall (Band Building), Bldg. 685. The recital will focus on the jazz guitar trio, one of the staple formats in jazz, consisting of guitar, bass, and drums. This concert is free and open to the public.

The program will feature a mix of jazz standards and new music. Among the selections are saxophonist Sam Rivers’s Beatrice, trumpeter Tom Harrell’s Sail Away, and saxophonist Chris Potter’s Amsterdam Blues. Staff Sgt. Tonelli’s compositions include Choices and Better Luck Next Time, both modern pieces rooted in the post-bop style. Accompanying Staff Sgt. Tonelli are bassist Robert Kopec and drummer Jason Kruk.

Tonelli received a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from William Paterson University and a master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, where he was awarded a jazz studies teaching fellowship. He has performed with jazz artists Jon Faddis, Ed Soph, Lynn Seaton, Denis DeBlasio, and Frank Mantooth, and with pop and Broadway artists Clay Aiken, Rita Moreno, and Carol Channing. His original music has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR) and he has won awards for his compositions from Billboard Magazine. As a member of the Jazz Knights, he has been featured as a soloist in concert and on two Jazz Knights recordings. Two of his arrangements are on the Jazz Knights’s newest CD, the critically-acclaimed At First Light.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

West Point Concert Band
Salute to Veterans

The West Point Concert Band under the baton of Lieutenant Colonel Timothy J. Holtan will present a concert honoring the Nation’s veterans of the Armed Services. The concert will feature the music of Randol Alan Bass, Dwayne Milburn, George Rosenkrans and others. The concert is free and open to the public on Sunday, November 8th at 3:00 p.m. in Eisenhower Hall Theatre.

The West Point Band will be joined by Master Sergeant Michael Ford from the U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own in Washington, D.C. Master Sergeant Ford will perform several selections with the band ranging from Broadway to the patriotic. Clarinetist Sergeant First Class Jennifer Tibbs will perform Ralph Vaughn Williams Six Studies in English Folksong.

The band will also perform Steadfast Leadership by former West Point Cadet, Dwayne Milburn. The piece is a march that was commissioned by West Point’s Class of 1956 and is meant to capture the sounds from the years the Class of ’56 attended West Point.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

West Point Chamber Music Recital
Sgt. 1st Class Chris Rettie Saxophone

The United States Military Academy Band continues its popular chamber music series on Sunday, November 15th at 3:00 p.m. on the third floor of Egner Hall, 685 Hardee Place, West Point, New York. At this time, Sergeant First Class Chris Rettie will present a program of mixed ensemble chamber music featuring saxophone. This performance is free and open to the public.

The performance will open with a trio by David Froom, entitled Arirang Variations. This piece for alto saxophone, bassoon, and piano explores and expands upon a well-known traditional Korean melody. The program continues with Michael Gordon’s Low Quartet, a post-minimalist work that exists as a tribute to low-register instruments. In this arrangement, the work will be performed on two baritone saxophones, bass clarinet and electric bass. Sgt. 1st Class Rettie will continue with Billie, for alto saxophone and boombox by Jacob ter Veldhuis. The piece employs a compact disc recording of electronically manipulated dialogue by jazz singer Billie Holliday as an accompaniment to the saxophone part. Enjoy an eclectic and entertaining afternoon of chamber music featuring members of the West Point Band.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

West Point Band Chamber Recital Series:
Staff Sgt. Mike Reifenberg
alto and soprano saxophones

The West Point Band chamber recital series will continue on Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Egner Hall with jazz saxophonist Staff Sgt. Mike Reifenberg. He will be joined by Sgt. 1st Class Scott Arcangel on piano and organ, and Staff Sgt. Scott Drewes on drums. The recital will feature a variety of tunes, including four original compositions, several jazz standards, to include Cole Porter’s Night and Day, and a medley of three folk songs (two Japanese and one Korean). This performance is free and open to the public.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

West Point Band Presents
“A Hudson Valley Holiday”

The West Point Band presents two performances of its immensely popular “A Hudson Valley Holiday” on Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 6th at 3:00 p.m. Sergeant First Class Stephen Cramer, from the United States Army Chorus, headlines the performance as he brings his vocal talents to the West Point Band. Joining him will be West Point’s own singers Sergeant First Class MaryKay Messenger and Staff Sergeant Alexis Cole. Returning to the stage will be dancers from the Mid-Hudson Ballet Company. The West Point Band is also thrilled to feature the renowned Fairfield County Children’s Choir. This concert is free and open to the public.

Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Holtan takes the baton as he leads the West Point Band in this grand performance. Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Cramer is sure to entertain as he sings a wide variety of holiday songs as part of a wonderful program. Traditional favorites include We Need a Little Christmas, Jingle Bells, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and Sleigh Ride. The Mid-Hudson Ballet Company and Fairfield County Children’s Choir will be featured on a number of tunes, including A TV Land Medley, When Christmas Comes to Town, and Do You Hear What I Hear. Additionally, Staff Sgt. Alexis Cole will perform her original song, The Call.

Sergeant First Class Stephen Cramer has delighted audiences across North America. He is currently a member of the United States Army Chorus in Arlington, VA. Sgt. 1st Class Cramer made his Broadway debut in 2000 in the New York production of Les Miserables, performing the role of Jean Valjean. In 2007, he performed at the Library of Congress, singing the role of Tony in the 50th anniversary salute to West Side Story. Sgt. 1st Class Cramer’s regional theatre credits include My Fair Lady, Footloose, Down at the Old Bull and Bush, H.M.S Pinafore, West Side Story, and Carousel. His classical roles include Alfredo in La Traviata, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and the tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. In 1994, Sgt. 1st Class Cramer won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. Additional career highlights include performing for five presidents, as well as being a featured soloist on a national broadcast of NBC’s The Today Show.

For concert information, cancellations and updates,
call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

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For concert information, cancellations and updates call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.

For concert information, cancellations and updates
call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617.