101st Army Band spreads guard message through music

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Low | 101st Army Band performs for the crowd in front of the Denver City and County building during the Independence Eve celebrations at Civic Center Park July 3, 2017. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Spc. Ashley Low)  

DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES

07.03.2016

Story by Spc. Ashley Low 

104th Public Affairs Detachment

The 101st Army Band, a unit with the Colorado Army National Guard, provides music throughout the spectrum of military operations to instill in Soldiers the will to fight and win and foster the support of citizens.
“Our job is to be ambassadors for the state and for the National Guard,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Russ Massey, band director. “It’s a great way to spread the message of the National Guard, to say that we are here and we are ready.”
They play the usual patriotic classics such as, “You’re a Grand Ol’ Flag” during parades and “Taps” at funerals, but they also feature a variety of fun and popular hits that deliver versatile and thrilling musical performances for audiences of all ages.
“A common stereotype that we deal with when we promote our concerts is that most people read 101st Army Band and think of marches and patriotic songs played by a regimented Army,” Massey said. "My goal is to spread the message that we are fully capable musicians in many genres.”
The 101st is comprised of several smaller ensembles including rock, country, winds, concert and dixieland bands. These groups allow them to show off the wide range of talent and personalities in the band through funk, honky tonk, jazz and more.
The band’s 35 Citizen-Soldiers possess outstanding musical credentials, including many with undergraduate and graduate degrees in musical performance. Most were accomplished musicians in their own right who auditioned with the band first and, once accepted, went to basic training. More than a few of them are music teachers or band instructors outside of the military along with various other professions such as police officers, computer programmers and nurses.
“That’s the great thing about the band,” said Spc. Danny Tramel, a guitar player with the 101st. “Getting people from all walks of life to come together and make music together.”
The band performed for more than 140,000 Colorado residents on their 2017 summer tour, to include parades, formal public concerts, school assemblies, clinics, music festivals and television appearances, bringing together veterans, service members and civilians.
“The most rewarding events are when we play for the veterans at VA homes,” said Sgt. Doug Savage, a trumpet player with the 101st. “They don’t always respond to everything, but suddenly, when they hear their service song being played, they will slowly rise up out of their chairs just to stand and salute us. It is a special moment when we are able to reach out to a veteran and see the light being brought back to their life.”

• Date Taken: 07.03.2016
• Date Posted: 01.11.2018 16:04
• Story ID: 261447
• Location: DENVER, CO, US
• Hometown: AURORA, CO, US
• Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
• Hometown: DENVER, CO, US
• Hometown: DURANGO, CO, US
• Hometown: FORT COLLINS, CO, US
• Hometown: GRAND JUNCTION, CO, US
• Hometown: LOVELAND, CO, US