Music with a Bang: “Pershing’s Own” 1812 Overture Concert

ARLINGTON , VA, UNITED STATES

08.02.2018

Story by Staff Sgt. Mylinda Durousseau 

The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"

This free and family-friendly performance includes the Army Concert Band, Chorus, Herald Trumpets and the Army Voices. The 90-minute program features a blend of classical and pop music with selections from the hit Broadway show Hamilton. There will also be music honoring Vietnam veterans by the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash and Simon & Garfunkle.

Each year during the “Overture 1812” concert, The Old Guard’s Presidential Salute Battery joins ”Pershing’s Own” in what 1st Lt. David E. Marthy, Presidential Salute Battery platoon leader, referred to as their biggest scheduled mission of the year.

“The ‘1812 Overture’ missions are a phenomenal way for the Battery to present itself to the public,” said Marthy. “It is very rewarding for me and for the platoon.”

Soldiers from The Presidential Salute Battery will man four 5,775-pound World War II era anti-tank guns on Summerall Filed. During the concert’s finale of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” the guns will fire 75mm blank shells. A total of 33 shots will be fired including the final volley from all four cannons.

Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” was written to commemorate the Russian defeat of Napoleon’s Grande Armée. The piece uses music to tell the story and specifically calls for live cannon fire to musically fight off the advancing Napoleonic army, symbolized by the French anthem La Marseillaise. For this to be effective, the timing of the cannon fire needs to be exact. Although they are firing blanks, the cannons are loud, making verbal communication difficult.

“A member of the band who is reading the music will stand adjacent to me and jab me in the back,” Marthy said.

At that moment Marthy then gives the hand signal for the battery to fire.

“This is a great opportunity for the audience to really interact with not just the music but the collaboration of the music and the Army,” said Col. Andrew Esch, the 11th leader and commander of The U.S. Army Band. “There’s really nowhere else in the world probably where you can hear this piece, the ‘1812 overture,’ and have such an accomplished group of Soldiers perform the cannon part. It’s really a unique opportunity.”

Bleacher seating is available on Summerall Field on a first-come, first-served basis and grass seating is available for those with blankets and low chairs. Food is permitted, but no coolers, alcohol or glass containers are allowed. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place at the same time inside Conmy Hall where stadium seating will be available.

To attend this year’s concert patrons arriving by vehicle, cyclists and pedestrians may enter Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall via the Hatfield Gate 2nd Street South. The Henry Gate at U.S. Route 50 and North Pershing Drive will be open from 6-10:30 p.m. for pedestrians and cyclists only and can be used as a drop off point. Everyone is subject to a security search and valid photo identification is required for all patrons over 18 years old.


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• Date Taken: 08.02.2018
• Date Posted: 08.02.2018 15:22
• Story ID: 286978
• Location: ARLINGTON , VA, US
• Hometown: LATHAM, NY, US