The West Point Band, established in 1817, is the longest continuously-running band in American history.
There’s a wonderful and informative article in The NY Times about the West Point Band, established in 1817, celebrating its bicentennial in 2017.
My cousin, Master Sergeant Joshua Economy, seen in the picture above, is a trumpeter with the West Point Band (among many other duties). The article details the schedule of this band (rigorous by any standards), as well as interviews with the members.
I think my favorite part is:
A classically trained trumpeter who also likes jazz trumpeters such as Chet Baker and Lee Morgan, Sergeant Uhl said he joined the Army as a bugler and served in basic training in a battalion called Company B.
“So I was literally the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B,” he said.
Here’s the West Point Brass Quintet (which my cousin is a member of – he’s the second from the right) playing “O Holy Night”:
And here’s the West Point Brass playing a March. Josh is the one with the silver trumpet!
This video isn’t on YouTube, but you can watch it on the West Point Band’s Instagram page: The trio of trumpeters (including Joshua, on the right), playing the National Anthem before a Patriots/Chargers game. Joshua’s salute at the very end …
JOSHUA!!!
Crushing it.
We have a connection: My uncle, Gen. EV Sutherland, was head of the English Dept. at West Point for years. Used to go up to visit when I lived in Manhattan. He retired, and then died, many years ago. My father’s younger brother. Wonderful guy.
People tend to underrate the level of musicianship needed to play in our top-flight military bands and ensembles. These musicians have the chops of anybody you’ll find in any of America’s professional orchestras. Also, the concert band/wind ensemble tends to be doubly looked down upon, often viewed as some kind of lesser body even in classical music circles…but I’ll save that rant for another time. I yield to no one in my respect and admiration for the best of our military music groups!