Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Search

Avalon Welcomes Air National Guard Band July 6th

 

By Press Release

AVALON – The Borough of Avalon will present two major concerts within four days during the first full week of July. Following the Bay-Atlantic Symphony’s concert inside Avalon Community Hall on July 3rd at 7:00pm, Avalon welcomes the world-famous Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic for a free concert at Avalon’s Veterans Plaza, at 21st Street and Dune Drive. The concert will be held on Wednesday, July 6th, at 7:00pm.
“Avalon is proud to host two world-class bands in a four day period”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Both concerts are free to the public and tremendously enhance the vacation and cultural experiences in Avalon”.
The Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic will present an exciting brand of patriotic music, classical, swing favorites, show tunes and other kinds of selections considered the “gold standard” of the concert band repertoire. They include Shostakovich’s spirited Folk Dances, excerpts from Johann de Meij’s thrilling symphony “The Lord of the Rings”, and MSgt Andrew Callo’s own arrangement of America the Beautiful, featuring vocalist A1C Clayton Lee. SSgt Andrew Lowe and A1C Alicia Brackbill will be featured in the whimsical trombone and trumpet duet “Cousins”, written by Herbert L. Clarke. Various talented soloists will be showcased throughout the program.
The show has something in it to please every listener, and let’s not forget a toe-tapping march or two. What concert would be complete without a rollicking march by American bandmaster John Phillip Sousa!
The Woodwind Quintet and Popular Music Ensemble will also be featured during the performance. The final portion of the program begins with a musical tribute honoring America’s servicemen. The program will conclude with an array of rousing patriotic favorites.
The Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic was originally formed in 1942 in Rapid City, South Dakota as the 53rd Army Air Forces Band. Federal recognition was extended to the band in 1949. The band has experienced numerous name changes and reassignments over the years, more recently as the 553rd Air Force Band, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. In 2000, the band became known by its current name, reflecting its expanded geographic area of responsibility. The Band of the Mid-Atlantic is based at Fort Indiantown Gap and has been attached to the 193rd Special Operations Wing stationed in Middletown, PA.
A traditional Air National Guard squadron, the band consists of 36 members, all National Guard members with civilian careers who meet one weekend a month to rehearse and perform. Its ranks are filled with professional musicians, educators, students, administrators, salesmen, builders and other professionals. The band has received many awards, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit award and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Unit Citation. Its annual concert tours have taken it to Germany, Holland, France, the Azores, Antigua-West Indies, Norway, England, Denmark, and throughout the United States. The concert is free and open to the public.

Something on your mind? Spout about it!

Spout submissions are anonymous!

600 characters remaining

Check out the new Spout Off!

Most Read

Print Editions

Recommended Articles