The United States Army Europe Band and Chorus a musical component of the United States Army, composed of army musicians who serve under the USAREUR. It is currently based in the German city of Sembach, being subordinated to the Headquarters Battalion, USAREUR, in Wiesbaden. Its components include a 100+ concert and ceremonial ensemble. It is currently under the musical command of Major Randall S. Bartel. The band members enter the band as musicians while singers are selectively chosen through Army auditions. The combined band and chorus perform in 200+ events per year all over the European continent.[1]
Brief History
The USAREUR Band dates back to December 1940, when the unit was first constituted on the 16th of that month. It was raised as the 367th Infantry Band. It was officially activated on March 25, 1941 in Louisiana and was re-designated in June of the next year as the 364th Infantry Band. It was reorganized again twice in the following three years, lastly as the 448th Army Band which was deactivated in early 1947. The band was re-established on June 25, 1949 in Mannheim, Germany as the 33rd Army Band under the command of USAREUR. It moved to the headquarters of USAREUR (Wiesbaden) in 1952, where it was given its current name. Its original purpose was to support USAREUR and represent the United States Army in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On 27 October 1981, the band and Soldiers' Chorus were combined under the direction US Army Europe Public Affairs Office and have since performed together as a single unit.[2]
Members of the concert band with Queen Elizabeth II, December 2011.
The concert band specializes in the playing of classical music during indoor performances. It is currently the largest ensemble in the USAREUR Band, employing 60 musicians. To date, the concert band performs at local concert halls, municipal centers, and theatres all over the continent.[12]
The Soldiers' Chorus is the flagship ensemble of the USAREUR Band. It was founded on April 24, 1967 as the 7th Army Soldiers Chorus originally being assigned to the office of the Adjutant General's office at USAREUR HQ. The group is composed of vocalists who perform music which ranges from Pop music to Broadway music. Their main purpose is to entertain American troops, alongside perform for diplomatic guests.[14]
Dixieland Band
The Dixieland Band consists of 6 musicians who perform traditionally popular American songs from a specific time period in the United States.[15]
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