FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The talented Soldiers from the "TRADOC Winds" woodwind ensemble are always on the go, practicing, performing and accomplishing the U.S. Army's mission.
The ensemble was recently awarded the 2012 Music Performance Team of the Year for the Woodwind Ensemble category, validating that their hard work and dedication to the Army, the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command and the local community had indeed paid off.
They submitted a five-minute video which won the popular vote from more than 8,000 current and former U.S. Army musicians.
Sgt. 1st Class Tracie Whitelaw, TRADOC Band bassoonist and noncommissioned officer in charge of training, said the ensemble produced the video to showcase their camaraderie, love of their job and most of all, love for their audience.
"We didn't put together the video for the purpose of winning; we put it together to show our group and for people to recognize our band," said Sgt. Robin Felt, TRADOC Band hornist and NCOIC of human resources.
The TRADOC Winds woodwind ensemble is comprised of six Soldiers -- a clarinet player, French horn player, a bassoon player, an oboe player, a flute player and a drum player.
Whitelaw said although drums are not typically part of a woodwinds ensemble, it enables the group to "think outside the box" and expand their musical selections.
The ensemble plays a variety of songs, including "Old Soldiers Never Die," "Respect" and "Brown Eyed Girl." They also perform a wide array of musical genres, including Latin, jazz and classical.
Whitelaw said the ensemble tells the Army story through music, performing in ceremonies, schools, libraries and even on a battleship, hoping to reach as many people as possible.
"The most important thing to us is that we put on a great show," said Felt. "We just have fun and want the audience to have fun with us."
While the ensemble finds pleasure in their performances, they are also dedicated to serving others.
"It's all about service," said Whitelaw. "One of the coolest things about our job is that we get to play for the public and not charge them a fee."
Felt said the ensemble also finds great purpose working with school children.
"We are a needed resource because kids may not get enough of the arts and music in their lives," said Felt. "If we can be a symbol for the Army and for music, that's what we're going to do."
In addition to their family audiences, Spc. Joseph Samuel, TRADOC Band clarinetist and NCOIC of instrument repair, also loves performing for Soldiers returning home.
"When I am preforming at a redeployment, I get to see how proud the returning Soldiers are," he said. "When the commander releases the troops and I see the family members hug, it's just awesome."
Felt credits the ensemble's success to its dedication to the mission and audience, and its talented, hardworking musicians.
"This is a great job with great people and wonderful opportunities," Felt said.
The TRADOC Winds are scheduled to perform July 11 during the "Music Under the Stars" concert at Fort Eustis' Magnolia Park. For a list of other TRADOC Band performances, visit
www.tradocband.com.