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Sounds
from the Hudson Volume 16, Issue 2 LTC Timothy J. Holtan -
Commander Photojournalists: Contributing
Photographers: NEW
FEATURE Concert Band to Perform with the New York Philharmonic Academy Band Musician, Touched by Terminal Illness, Helps Others From Surgery to Lincoln Center
Concert Band to Perform
As the Academy Band prepares for its popular “Music Under the Stars” concert series, its musicians are especially excited about its joint concert with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Concert Hall in New York City. The concerts, occurring on July 3rd and 4th, will feature Bramwell Tovey’s world premiere entitled Urban Runway as well as selections from Aaron Copland’s Rodeo. The USMA Band will also feature Donald Grantham’s Farewell to Gray, a piece commissioned in honor of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Military Academy. Specific program information can be found on the New York Philharmonic’s website: www.nyphil.org
This year, Capt. Ancelet will leave West Point for his next assignment. In November, he will attend an advanced career course specifically designed for Army Band officers, then go to Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. He will take with him many fond memories of his time with the United States Military Academy Band. On and off the podium, Capt. Ancelet has served to entertain both audiences and band members alike. During his time at West Point, Capt. Ancelet has made it his policy to visit audience members both before and after concert performances, with an inviting smile and engaging conversation. He brought this light-hearted, approachable tone to his rehearsal environment as well, always ready with a well-timed joke or anecdote, while striving for the highest musical standards. As he prepares to leave West Point, Capt. Ancelet shares a piece of advice: “Do not take this area for granted. Take advantage of all that the Hudson Valley Region has to offer.” Capt. Ancelet will be missed by the members of the U.S. Military Academy Band, and we wish him success in his future endeavors. See Capt. Ancelet’s final Trophy Point concert entitled “The Magical Baton” on August 17th with Wicked star Caissie Levy. Academy Band Musician, Touched by Terminal Illness, Helps Others
After being diagnosed with a rare liver cancer five years ago, Deric's wife, Kristen, searched for children's literature for her three children, Ashlea, Luke and Rebecca. Deric and Kristen searched for resources that would open a dialogue about terminal illness in an “age appropriate” and hopeful manner. Unable to find anything that met her needs, Kristen decided to write her own. The result was A Train's Rust, A Toy Maker's Love, a book that depicts a family of trains whose perfect life has been derailed, as the mother train begins to rust. Kristen originally wrote the book solely for her children; however, Deric and Kristen felt compelled to help other families facing the tragic reality of terminal illness. After two books and the development of an online support community, Inheritance of Hope, a 501c3 non-profit corporation was born. The mission of Inheritance of Hope is to increase well-being and help overcome despair in the lives of children and families with a terminally ill parent. Deric holds a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern and a Master of Music from University of Michigan. As a result of his current studies as an MBA candidate at NYU's Stern School of Business, he decided to file for non-profit status. Ultimately, through Inheritance of Hope's superior literature, life-changing family events and individual and group support, he and Kristen plan to share their experience with terminal illness with other families and provide a proactive, therapeutic focus for them. In fact, Deric will separate from the Army in August of 2008 to fully devote his time to his family and the organization. Currently, Inheritance of Hope is accepting applications for its inaugural, all expenses-paid, summer family retreat, which is scheduled for August 7-10, 2008. For information regarding the event, speaking engagement opportunities, donation information or to purchase Kristen's books, please visit their website at www.inheritanceofhope.org. From Surgery to Lincoln Center
After the acute injury healed, Denver resumed playing the trumpet, placing his mouthpiece slightly off to one side of his mouth. Throughout his undergraduate education, the center of his embouchure moved further and further away from the center of his lips. Denver compensated for the injury extremely well, not only winning several international trumpet competitions, but winning a position in the West Point Band. Over time, effects from the old injury began to hamper Denver's playing in ways for which he could no longer compensate. He went to West Point’s Keller Army Community Hospital and spoke with plastic surgeon and Deputy Commander of Clinical Services, Colonel Andrew Friedman, who was instrumental in enabling Denver to see the specialist Dr. Simon McGrail of the Scollard Clinic in Toronto, Canada. While Dr. McGrail conducted Denver’s surgery, West Point’s Dr. Friedman also accompanied Denver in the operating room to observe the intricate procedure. In fact, Dr. Friedman is now the only surgeon in the Armed Forces to offer the operation to other musicians in the military. In 2008, the New York Philharmonic celebrated twentieth-century composer Luciano Berio with several performances of his works, to include "Day of Berio" on February 2nd. Musicians from the New York Philharmonic performed all fourteen of Berio's Sequenzas. The fourteen Sequenzas are a series of virtuosic solo pieces. Sequenza X is for solo trumpet and piano resonance. The piano is played silently and certain strings are allowed to resonate when the trumpet plays loudly into the strings. Sequenza X makes ample use of extended techniques for the trumpet. Valve shakes, flutter tonguing, valve tremolos, hand stops and many other techniques are employed to get the widest possible array of timbres from the instrument. Sequenza X is over fourteen minutes in length and is one of the most physically taxing pieces in the trumpet repertoire. The Philharmonic's principal trumpet player, Phil Smith, asked Denver if he would join other principal players of the New York Philharmonic to perform the work as a part of its “Day of Berio.” Denver was able to accept the invitation because the surgery to repair his embouchure was a complete success. While the recovery was long, Denver says he is no longer hampered by the effects of the injury and is able to advance as a trumpet player both technically and musically.
Originally from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Sergeant Major David Hydock, or “Doc,” as he is affectionately referred to by his colleagues, entered the Army in 1973. His first assignment was with the 324th Army Band at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. In 1975, Sgt. Maj. Hydock began his tenure with the USMA Band as bass clarinetist, a position he has held for 33 years. In addition to his musical duties, Sgt. Maj. Hydock has been the publicity chief for the Academy Band since 1994, overseeing all aspects of public relations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from the University of the State of New York. Sgt. Maj. Hydock has enjoyed a rewarding career with the USMA Band. His proudest moments include the parades on “The Plain” where returning USMA alumni would cheer for the band during the pass and review sequence. Sgt. Maj. Hydock has fond memories of Trophy Point and the annual summer concert series there, citing it as one of his favorite places at West Point. He has found particular fulfillment in paying tribute to fallen comrades who served their country through his funeral performance duties. Sgt. Maj. Hydock is the last person from the band stationed at West Point during a time when only men were allowed to perform. He hails the decision that, in 1976, women were allowed to join the “Corps” and the Academy Band, noting that they bring with them a wealth of talent and capability. He is thankful that he could raise his family at West Point and plans to remain in the Hudson Valley with his wife and children.
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In
March of 2005, Captain Treg Ancelet arrived at West Point to begin his
assignment as the Deputy Commander of the United States Military Academy
Band. He was excited to begin his “dream job” of working with one
of the best bands in the country. In awe of the history of West
Point, Capt. Ancelet settled into his office and took in the
breathtaking view of the Hudson River.
As
a musician in the Hellcats, Sgt. 1st Class Deric Milligan has shared his
talents with members of the West Point community for the past eight
years. During his tenure, Deric has sounded Taps at hundreds of
military funerals and has performed in a multitude of concerts, a craft
in which he takes great pride. However, recently touched by his
wife's terminal illness, Deric has showcased his talents in a different
arena, now as the Executive Director of an organization called
Inheritance of Hope. 
Staff
Sergeant Denver Dill, a bugler in the Hellcats, holds a Master of Music
from the Juilliard School and was a doctoral candidate at the Eastman
School of Music. Denver has risen to the highest level of trumpet
playing, all the while battling the effects of a debilitating lip
injury. While in high school, Denver began experiencing herniation,
stretching and tearing of the obicularis oris, known to brass players as
“broken embouchure.” Denver describes his complications as, "blood
was coming out the end of my horn." 
Staff
Sergeant Sarah J. Botez, trumpet, originally from Grand Haven,
Michigan, arrived as a Hellcat bugler in January of 2008. She
earned a Bachelor of Music Education in instrumental and vocal music
from Hope College and continued her graduate studies as a trumpet
performance major at the University of Florida. Staff Sgt. Botez
joined the Army in 2000, serving her first five years in Heidelberg,
Germany with the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Band and Chorus.
Staff Sgt. Botez most recently served with the U.S. Army Training and
Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Staff
Sergeant John Castleman, trumpet, a native of Poulsbo, Washington
came to the Academy Band in December of 2007. He earned a Bachelor
of Music in wind performance from Central Washington University and a
Master of Music in theory and composition from Norfolk State University.
Prior to his appointment in the Jazz Knights, Staff Sgt. Castleman
served in the United States Air Force “Heritage of America” Band in
Virginia. In addition, he held a position at Disney World’s Magic
Kingdom and Epcot Center as a lead trumpet player for Future Corps.
Staff Sgt. Castleman has performed with the Tommy Dorsey and Benny
Goodman Orchestras. He can also be heard on Telemundo television,
performing with Tony Vega.
Staff
Sergeant Yalin Chi, piano, joined the Academy Band in January of
2008. Originally from Beijing, China, she gave her debut with the
Beijing’s Central Opera Symphony Orchestra in 1997. In the same
year, she moved to the United States and studied with Victoria
Mushkatkol at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Staff Sgt. Chi
completed both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Juilliard
School. She has performed in Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall
at Carnegie, the Gardner Museum in Boston and Kumho Art Hall in Seoul,
Korea. With an orchestral piano fellowship, Staff Sgt. Chi
attended the Aspen Music Festival in the summer of 2006. She has
also attended the Taos School of Music, Music Academy of the West and
Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival. Staff Sgt. Chi also served as
piano accompanist at two Joseph Alessi Seminars at the University of New
Mexico.
Staff
Sergeant Bill Cuthbert, drums, came to the Academy Band in November
of 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Music Performance from Illinois
State University in Normal, Illinois, where he studied with David
Collier. Prior to his assignment with the Hellcats, Staff Sgt.
Cuthbert held a position with the Navy Band Southeast in Jacksonville,
Florida. While in the Navy, he performed in the concert band,
ceremonial band, jazz big band and the rock band "Liberty". He has
performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony
Orchestra, St. John's River City Brass Band and the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Staff Sgt. Cuthbert has
instructed and arranged music for numerous high school and college
drumlines to include Illinois State University and the University of
Illinois.
Staff
Sergeant Scott Drewes, drums, originally from Plymouth Meeting,
Pennsylvania joined the rhythm section of the Jazz Knights in December
of 2007. After receiving his high school diploma in percussion
performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Staff Sgt.
Drewes earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance from the Manhattan
School of Music. He also pursued a Master of Music in jazz studies
from the University of Maryland, College Park, studying under Steve
Fidyk. Staff Sgt. Drewes has held positions with U.S. Air Force
Bands in Illinois and Massachusetts, performing with the Shades of Blue
Jazz Ensemble and the Liberty Big Band. He has performed with many
great musicians including Greg Hopkins, Larry Goldings, Maureen
McGovern, Billy Pierce, Ted Rosenthal, Bobby Watson and Jiggs Whigam.
Staff
Sergeant Curt Starr, trombone, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, joined
the Academy Band in November of 2007. Staff Sgt. Starr earned his
Bachelor of Music in performance from the College-Conservatory of Music
at the University of Cincinnati, where he studied with Lee Rogers.
Prior to his assignment at West Point, Staff Sgt. Starr pursued a Master
of Music at Southern Methodist University, where he studied with John
Kitzman, principal trombonist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and USMA
Band alumnus. Staff Sgt. Starr has participated in the
International Festival-Institute at Round Top, and the Texas Music
Festival in Houston. He is also a member of the Academy Band’s
Storm King Brass.