The Herald Trumpets entered the auditorium from the rear, lining up on both sides of the auditorium to perform an antiphonal fanfare. This brilliant effect captivated the audience and set the stage for a tremendous event. SGM Edelbrock introduced the ensemble and provided a brief history of the Herald Trumpets. The ensemble was formed in 1959 to welcome Queen Elizabeth II at the opening ceremony of the St. Lawrence Seaway. They have performed at the 1980 Winter Olympics, the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (to the world's largest television audience, over three billion people), and at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Edelbrock explained that in the ensemble's early years, much of their repertoire came from the British military bands. Their next selection, Jubilant by Sir Arthur Bliss, originated in that tradition. They next performed The Peacemaker, written by Herald Trumpets member Sergeant First Class (SFC) Paul Murtha.

Strauss composed the Festmusik der Stadt Wien for Trompetenchor der Stadt Wien for the city of Vienna.  Edelbrock explained, "The Fanfare, written in Strauss' 80th year, pays tribute to thee longstanding affection and pride the composer held for the city of Vienna and the history and cultures it maintained." 

At this point, the various trumpets of the ensemble were identified. The ensemble is composed of seven parts: one E-flat soprano trumpet, three B-flat mezzo-soprano trumpets, two B-flat tenor trumpets (similar to the tenor trombone), and one G bass trumpet (similar to the bass trombone). Each section's sound and quality was described and briefly demonstrated before the complete Fanfare, written by SGM Alex Smith, was performed.

In 1981, SGM Edelbrock wrote the Salute to a New Beginning in honor of President Ronald Reagan. The ensemble's phenomenal performance of this work showcased the abilities of their E-flat soprano trumpets.

The arrival of visitors at the White House is an event of tremendous ceremony, and the Herald Trumpets are an essential part of that ceremony.  The Herald Trumpets performed several fanfares that comprise that ceremony, including Ruffles and Flourishes and the official U.S. Presidential march, Hail to the Chief.

The trumpets moved to parade rest and the percussion moved to the front of the stage. The Herald Trumpets field drums are rope-tension drums, meaning that forty-seven feet of rope supply the tension of the drumhead.  The body of the drum is formed from a single piece of ash and was created by Gus Moeler in 1952. This style of drum was first brought to the United States by the British during the Revolutionary War. Edelbrock noted that the timpani and cymbals were only used by the Herald Trumpets in a concert setting.  An exciting demonstration of rudimentary drumming in combination with the timpani concluded the percussion demonstration.

The next piece performed was John Williams' Olympic Spirit, from the Herald Trumpets' 1996 visit to the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. This was followed by a fanfare based on the theme to "Good Morning, America," an American morning news program that hosted two 1999 nationally televised performances of the Herald Trumpets.

During America's Millennium Celebration on the Mall, the Heralds played Also Sprach Zarathustra "as the electronically lit sun rose beside the Lincoln Memorial signifying the dawning of America's new millennium." This performance was quite spectacular and the audience was overwhelmed by the exhibit of delicate attacks followed by dynamic power.

The ensemble next performed the popular Leo Arnaud's Fanfare from Bugler's Dream.  The concert concluded with Olympic Fanfare, written especially for the Herald Trumpets by John Williams for the 1984 Olympic Games.  After the concert, the audience was invited to the stage to speak with the ensemble members and to examine the instruments.