News
Record to offer free Marine Corps Band concert

Sunday, May 10, 2009


TROY — The Marine Corps Band of Albany, Ga., will perform in concert at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on June 13.

Sponsored by The Record, the free concert will be held at 8 p.m.; the hall will open at 7 p.m. and all ticket holders must be seated by 7:45 p.m.

The band is also slated to march in the Troy Flag Day Parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. June 14, rain or shine, and proceeds from south Troy, north along Fourth Street, into downtown.

Record Publisher Frank J. McGivern Sr. said, “The Record is proud to sponsor this free concert for the community in conjunction with the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall as part of this community’s Flag Day celebration.”

Tickets to the free concert will be available from The Record starting Monday. To obtain tickets, mail a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The Record, 501 Broadway, Troy, NY 12180 ATTN: Marine Concert. Please include the number of tickets requested.

Tickets may also be obtained in person at the newspaper’s downtown Troy office.

No more than four tickets may be requested.

Formed in 1990, the Albany Marine Band became one of only 12 bands throughout the Marine Corps.

Stationed at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Georgia, this band of 50 Marines travels throughout the U.S. and internationally to fulfill its mission of serving as musical ambassadors, providing music for military ceremonies, community celebrations, recruiting programs and official events.

Although this band primarily serves as a ceremonial ensemble, the band also performs as a marching band, concert band, brass and woodwind quintets, jazz combo, show band, and Dixieland band.

In December 2003, the Albany Marine Band was awarded the distinguished “Commander in Chief Installation Excellence Award.” Signed by the secretary of defense, this award recognizes the members of the Albany Marine Band for their pride and commitment in performing their duties.

The secretary of defense also noted the Band’s achievements in supporting the mission through imaginative and innovative actions.

The Albany Marine Band was given the honor of being selected to represent the United States in 2004 performing for the changing of the guard at the Citadel in Quebec City, Canada.

In 2005, the band traveled more than 76,000 miles to perform more than 220 commitments in locations such as Parris Island, SC; New Orleans, LA; Stamford, CT; Cedar Falls, IA; Canton, OH, and West Liberty, KY.

The Albany Marine Band performed for more than 5 million people worldwide.

All Marines in the band are selected by audition and must maintain a high level of instrumental proficiency.

Additionally, with the Marine Corps tradition of “every Marine a rifleman,” all Marines in the band are fully trained to fulfill their secondary mission of bearing arms in the defense of the nation.

Also, each Marine has supplementary administrative responsibilities within the band.

Band officer is CWO2 Christian E. Flores; band master, Master Sgt. Mark Munger; enlisted conductor, Staff Sgt. Kristine A. Streng; drum major, Staff Sgt. Ignatius J. Keogh; small ensemble leader, Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth D. Douglas; instrument repair technician, Staff Sgt. Gary L. Gilbert.

Ellie