Photo By Staff Sgt. Kelly Boyer | Sgt. Christopher Beasley, a trumpeter with the 39th Army Band, 54th Troop Command...... read more read more
Claremont, N.H. – Sgt. Christopher Beasley, a trumpeter with the 39th Army Band (AB), received the “Difference-Maker” Award from 54th Troop Command (TC) for his outstanding commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and leadership beyond the uniform.
“Sgt. Beasley is the model of a great soldier, a great person, and an even better battle buddy,” said Cpl. Taylor Trudeau, a flutist with the 39th AB. “I am very thankful for him and his help as he consistently goes the extra mile at both drill and beyond.”
This quarterly award highlights Soldiers' unwavering dedication to their unit and fellow Guardsmen while showcasing the positive impact of their efforts.
Trudeau, a high school music teacher, nominated Beasley after seeking his assistance in launching a new jazz band program at Stevens High School in Claremont, N.H. Because Jazz was outside her primary area of expertise, Trudeau turned to Beasley to see if he would be interested in helping out; he didn’t hesitate to say yes.
“I was so eager to help her because I thought it was a really good opportunity,” said Beasley. “I’ve dedicated the last five or six years of my life to the dream of becoming a high school band director, and I was very eager to get real-world experience.”
Every Monday, for the last several months, Beasley has made the two-hour drive from Massachusetts to lead jazz band rehearsals. On top of working with 15 student musicians, he also prepares material, models instructional techniques, and mentors both the students and Trudeau.
“He makes learning jazz a lot easier because he really knows what he’s doing,” said a student musician partaking in the program. “He’s extremely patient with us and always shows up early.
“Even when we don’t sound great, he encourages us,” they added. “He makes us feel like he has faith in us, even though we’re beginners.”
Currently finishing his final semester at the University of New Hampshire, majoring in Music Education, Beasley balances his academic responsibilities, student teaching, and military service, all while continuing to volunteer weekly in Claremont.
“The reason I keep going back is because of the really great group of students at Stevens High School,” said Beasley. “They are all incredibly respectful, and I constantly hear how grateful they are for me being there, which has been extraordinarily rewarding.”
He added that the experience is as much about supporting his fellow Soldier as it is about giving back to the next generation of musicians. “I also want to support Trudeau as much as possible, so she has a better idea of how to run a jazz band when I leave.”
Beasley, who joined the Army and the 39th AB in September 2021, sees his volunteer work as a natural extension of his military values and passion for teaching.
“This kind of volunteer work is so important to me because of the students' enthusiasm,” said Beasley. “Students with as much excitement to play jazz as the ones at Stevens (High School) deserve a director equally enthusiastic to help them get started.”
“While the drive up to Claremont can be one of the hardest parts of my week, I'm so happy to do it,” he added. “The one hour of rehearsal is the best part of my week, every week.”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2025 14:31 |
| Story ID: | 495969 |
| Location: | CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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