257th Army Band announces spring and summer performance schedule

WASHINGTON, DC (05/07/2010)(readMedia)-- The 257th Army Band returns to the College of Southern Maryland's LaPlata Campus for a special Armed Forces Day Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday May 15. This free performance will feature patriotic music, marches and entertainment suitable for all ages.

Warrant Officer Sheila M. Klotz, commander of the Band of the Nation's Capital, assembled a program which will inspire patriotism as well as educate and entertain audience members of all ages. Patriotic fare, entertaining show tunes, vocal selections and more are sure to inspire some serious toe-tapping. Featured soloists include award-winning vocalist Sgt. Vicki Golding and saxophonist Sgt. First Class Cynthia Marr.

A special invitation is extended to area veterans and those currently serving in our armed forces. The band always pays a special tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

The Armed Forces Day concert is the first of a series of performances by the band this spring and summer. Other locations, dates and times are:

-- City of Rockville Parade, Rockville, Md., 10:30 a.m. May 31

-- Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, Md., 7 p.m. July 2

-- The City Dock, Annapolis, Md. 7:30 p.m. July 3

-- America's Independence Day Parade, Washington, D.C., 11:45 a.m. July 4

-- Kenmore Middle School Auditorium, Arlington, Va., 7:30 p.m. July 6

-- Connaughton Plaza, Woodbridge, Va., 7:30 p.m. July 7

-- Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria, Va., 6 p.m. July 10

-- Harris Pavillion, Manassas, Va., 7:30 p.m. July 12

-- Capital Sound, Fort Ward Park, Arlington, Va., 7:30 p.m. July 14

-- Schlesigner Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, Arlington Va., 7:30 p.m. July 15

-- Alumni Concert Sylvan Theater, Washington, D.C., 7:30 p.m., July 16

The 257th Army Band traces its lineage to the legendary Corcoran Cadets, the DC militia that inspired John Philip Sousa to compose his march of the same name. Noteworthy performances include musical support for the Inauguration of President Obama, burial of the Unknown Soldier in 1921, state funerals of Presidents Harding and Kennedy, overseas deployments to Greece and Panama, consecutive appearances at the Great American Brass Band Festival and concert tours throughout New England, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic.

The District of Columbia National Guard is closer to the heart of America than any other Guard in the country. They are unique in that they are the only National Guard activated exclusively by the President for war-time deployment or civil emergencies. The DC National Guard has been defending the nation's capital for hundreds of years and today, its units are continuously deploying throughout the globe in support of the war on terror.

All performances are free and open to the public. For more information go www.257armyband.com or call 202-685-7899.