The U.S. Consulate General in Strasbourg, in collaboration with the City of Strasbourg, the City of Maizieres-les-Metz, Americans in Alsace Association, and Lorraine-Etats-Unis Association was pleased to welcome the United States Army Europe Band & Chorus for two concert in Strasbourg and Maizieres-les-Metz on October 15 and 16, 2014.
Based in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, the United States Army Band & Chorus is the largest American military band located outside the United States and is made up of over 100 soldiers. The band was originally activated in 1940 to serve the musical needs of the U.S. military in Europe. The men and women of the band and chorus perform over 250 times a year in over 30 European and Middle Eastern countries.
The Concert Band performed to sold-out houses both in Strasbourg and Maizieres-les-Metz. With a repertoire ranging from Sousa to Beethoven and Berlioz to Eric Whitacre, the concert band composed of Army musicians – many of whom have performed or taught professionally prior to their military service – performed with the outstanding musicianship typical of U.S. military bands. A chorus, accompanied by guitars and percussion, also performed pop favorites including “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Proud Mary.” The audience, which included CG Strasbourg-invited VIPS from the diplomatic corps and regional senior military officials expressed great appreciation for the high-quality musical evening, rewarding the performers with a standing ovation and demanding two encores.
