AMC Band traces Redstone Arsenal history

Photo By Eben Boothby | AMC band commemorates Redstone Arsenal's 75th Anniversary and Armed Forces Celebration Week with a multimedia performance at Huntsville High School on June 28, 2016.  

AL, UNITED STATES

06.28.2016

Story by Lisa Simunaci 

U.S. Army Materiel Command   

Hundreds of Huntsville/Madison County community members cheered during several standing ovations as the Army Materiel Command Band traced 75 years of Redstone Arsenal history.
Paying homage to the installation’s 75th anniversary and Armed Forces Celebration Week, the full 48-member band presented a multi-media production Tuesday at Huntsville High School’s Panther Theatre.
Band Commander Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Bettencourt said the band was happy to provide the performance as a gift to the community.
“We’re always glad to reach out and give back to the community who has done so much to support Team Redstone,” he said. “As our trip through time represented, Redstone Arsenal has had its ups and downs. However, the community has always rallied to play a key role in the installation’s success.”
The performance was a musical history lesson, tracing Redstone’s importance in providing chemical and munitions support through World War II, and the near shuttering of its post-war doors marked by an “arsenal for sale” sign.
With a foot-tapping rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by Sgt. Amy Mahoney to a rowdy execution of “Fortunate Son” by Sgt. Sean Peabody, the diversity of selections showcased the band’s talent. “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Final Countdown” and “Don’t Stop Believing” were among the tunes that accompanied the story of the Arsenal through its early NASA days and beyond.
The band also highlighted community members, incorporating University of North Alabama band member Noah Landers into the saxophone section and featuring Florence songwriter Michael Curtis, who performed the song he penned for wounded warriors titled “We Know You.”
K.C. Bertling, a local advocate for Korean War veterans, was recognized for her work and sang “God Bless America” with the booming voices of the crowd joining her song for the final refrain.
The audience was also audibly surprised to find that famed Swamper guitarist Jimmy Johnson of Muscle Shoals was also taking in the show.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Von Kamp who spent 23 years with Army bands before closing out his military career in 1985, called Tuesday’s show a “darn good performance.”
Von Kamp noted the musicianship gets better year after year.
“This was an overwhelming success that means a lot to the community,” he said. “Everyone sitting around me was carried away.”
“It was a fabulous night,” Bettencourt said. “Every one of our band members participated either on stage or in a support role. We tried to recognize all of our arsenal organizations and we hope everyone enjoyed it.”

• Date Taken: 06.28.2016
• Date Posted: 06.30.2016 11:00
• Story ID: 202767
• Location: AL, US