- Ute Stampede Committee is pursuing military marching band for opening ceremmonies
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UTE STAMPEDE ROYALTY • The Queen of the 78th Annual Ute Stampede Rodeo is McKayla Garrett, daughter of Wade and Mandi Garrett. First attendant is Caley Bussian, daughter of Bryan and Linda Bussian, second attendant is Krystal Day, daughter of Todd and Cheryl Day, third attendant is Lyndsey Palmer, daughter of Marty and Kandas Palmer. The royalty received a Montana Silversmith buckle and tiara sponsored by Nephi Western Federal Credit Union. The queen and her attendants will reign over the Ute Stampede Rodeo on July 12, 13 and 14. Tickets are on sale now at www.utestampederodeo.com or for more information call 435-623-5608.
By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The Ute Stampede Committee would like to have a military marching band in the opening ceremonies of each of the Ute Stampede Rodeos in July.
"We would like them to march into the arena and play a military medley of all the service songs during the opening," said Bob Garrett, representing the committee.
He asked commissioners if they would help out by using some of their political clout to make certain that the Utah National Guard Band accept the invitation that has been extended.
The Stampede committee would like the commissioners to write letters to the Adjunct General and to the Governor and ask them to help make the band a possibility.
"We have been working on this for many months," said Garrett.
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces maintains its own military marching band to inspire troops and preserve tradition. The Utah National Guard is Army and they do have a band.
They are known as the Utah National Guard's 23rd Army Band, the Governor's Own.
Each branch of the Armed Services has a service song and a hymn.
"We would like the band to play the service songs for each branch in a medley," he said. "Our goal has been to honor the military for their sacrifice."
Each piece of branch music now serves as either a rallying song (the service song) or as a solemn piece of music (the hymn) which are performed at various functions.
Military bands were once an integral element on the battlefield.
To increase the morale and courage of the men, bands would march in front of formations as they entered battle. As the number of musicians dwindled, commanders delegated marching bands to the rear of the formation, behind the combat-ready troops.
Today, bands continue to inspire troops through service song or hymn that represent the individual histories and traditions of America's Armed Forces.
Garrett said that Nephi City Council would also be requested to send a letter of persuasion on behalf of the city.
"We would like them to play all three nights," said Garrett.
The 23rd Army Band has a rich history as an internationally renowned Military Band of the highest caliber.
Organized in 1924 to provide music for military ceremonies, the Band has performed twice at the prestigious Worldwide Bandmasters Conference in Norfolk, VA., and was invited by the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Russia, and the U.S. State Department to perform a series of joint concerts with the Leningrad District Army Band during the summer of 1992.
In 2004, the Band traveled to Germany to welcome home soldiers from the Middle East and to support the USAREUR (U.S. Army Europe) Band &Chorus, in addition to welcoming home soldiers at the Utah Air Guard Base.
They have previously performed in Germany, across the United States, and together with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Utah Symphony and U.S. Army Field Band.
The 23rd Army Band has played for Presidents, Senators, Congressmen and Heads of State.
Each year the Band performs for thousands of people across the state of Utah and the United States, giving clinics and concerts for schools, performing at civic functions, marching in parades, and providing music for military dances, changes of command, and pass-in-reviews.
The unit also maintains its readiness with a full training schedule including an annual weapons qualification, a semi-annual Physical Training test, basic soldier training and rehearsals.
The band is staffed by some of the state's finest musicians. During the day, these citizen soldiers work as lawyers, accountants, teachers, law enforcement officers and more. Many also perform in other musical organizations around the state. When they come together, their musical talent is considerable.
At the band's website it states: "You can request the 23rd Army Band to support your military, community or school function. The 23rd Army Band's schedule is created a year in advance. Requests for dates during any given yearly period (October - September) must be submitted by the month of May previous to that yearly period."
There is a Concert Band, of 55 members, and a Marching Band with the same 55 members but playing marching instruments. In addition, there are several ensembles which function within the band and can be booked separately from, or in addition to, the full band.
There is also a 20-member Jazz Ensemble, a seven-member Jazz Combo, a Brass Quintet, a Woodwind Quintet, a Barber Shop Quartet and a Rock Band.
"If you will get us the addresses, we will write the letters," said Chad Winn, commission chairman.
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