Wednesday, June 7, 8:00am
Clinic: The United States Army Herald Trumpets,
“Ruffles and Flourishes: Fanfares for Presidents and World Events”
Elisa Koehler, reporter
The U. S. Army Herald Trumpets (USAHT) treated the early morning audience to a stunning display of polish and professionalism. After an opening fanfare, a video of former President George H. W. Bush praised the ensemble as a “national treasure” that has “added flair” to events such as four Olympic Games and Super Bowl XXXIX as well as presidential inaugurations (beginning with JFK in 1961) and other White House ceremonies. The informative 45-minute session combined live performances with recorded narration and multimedia presentations on a suspended screen.
The ensemble grew out of the United States Army Band (Pershing's Own) and was formed in 1959 to welcome Queen Elizabeth for a state visit. Indeed, both the instrumentation and repertoire of the group were inspired by the British brass band tradition. Comprised of seventeen musicians, the group features a balanced family of instruments including two E-flat soprano trumpets, six B-flat mezzo soprano trumpets, four B-flat tenor trumpets (trombone range), two bass trumpets in G, and three percussionists. The banners attached to the trumpets' long bells bear Pershing's Own coat of arms and add a dash of color during the group's characteristic bell “sweep” before and after fanfares.
One of the most interesting parts of the presentation was a simulation of a state visit. With all the attendant ruffles and flourishes (and photos of White House ceremonies), the USAHT performed Hail to the Chief, Call to Statesmanship (for limousine arrivals), and Presidential Procession (for entering the White House). Other selections performed included A Salute to a New Beginning by Dennis Edelbrock (for Ronald Reagan), Paul Murtha's Heroic Fanfare (performed at Ground Zero after 9/11/01), and a stunning rendition of Richard Strauss's Fanfare Stadt Wien.
The clinic concluded with an appeal to remember the thousands of American men and women serving in the armed forces followed by a performance of two of the most familiar fanfares in the USAHT repertoire, Bugler's Dream and John Williams's Olympic Fanfare. An immediate, sustained standing ovation rewarded the brilliant playing and stoic precision of this exceptionally fine ensemble. Those in the audience who missed their morning coffee surely received a powerful jolt from this rousing, inspiring performance
