FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
More than 670 people gathered in Magnolia Park at Fort Eustis to enjoy the final show of the 2013 Music Under the Stars concert series hosted by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band Aug. 29.
The free summer concert series brought more than 2,100 fans out to Magnolia Park for the band's eight concerts.
"This series is important to us because it allows us to engage with the local community and tell the Army's story," said U.S. Army Maj. Leonel Pena, TRADOC Band commander. "It's also a great way for us to give back to the community by providing free, world-class entertainment."
Highlights of the concerts included a special performance by the Williamsburg Fifes and Drums, performances from band alumni, and various musical ensembles.
For the concerts TRADOC Band played a wide variety of music pieces to include: John Phillip Sousa's "The Fairest of the Fair," Bert Russell's "Twist and Shout" and Toby Keith's "Made in America."
The band went all-out, during the final concert, performing Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," which, when written, called for the use of cannons in the music. To honor the original composition the band included synchronized cannon fire by the TRADOC Salute Battery, firing more than 20 rounds throughout the piece.
While this may be the end of the 2013 "Music Under the Stars" series, the band is already preparing for the 2014 series.
"We've got some great ideas for the 2014 'Music Under the Stars' series that we think the community is going to love," said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Lucero, TRADOC Band tuba player. "We really want to get the community more involved."
For fans who did not get enough of the band's music over the summer, they have nine events scheduled through the remainder of the year, including a Constitution Day event in Williamsburg and their popular Holiday Concert held every December.
For more information, visit the TRADOC Band's website at http://www.tradocband.com
Upcoming Performances:
Sept. 7: Hampton Bay Days Wine Street Stage, Hampton, Va.
Sept. 11: Freedom Walk Peninsula Town Center, Hampton, Va.
Sept. 17: Constitution Day Joint Concert Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Va.
Oct. 2: Urbanna Oyster Festival, Urbanna, Va.
Oct. 19: National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference Singleton Ccener for Performing Arts at VCU, Richmond, Va.
Nov. 11: Virginia Beach Veterans Day Parade VB Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, Va.
Dec. 6: Hollydazzle City Center at Oyster Point, Newport News, Va.
Dec. 11: Holiday Concert St. Bede's, Williamsburg, Va.
Dec. 13: Holiday Concert Bethel Temple, Hampton, Va.