The United States Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus March 17

The United States Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus brings “America the Beautiful,” a free concert celebration of all there is to love about our nation at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. The concert, part of the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus’ Spring 2020 tour, will explore the heart of the American spirit and honor the veterans of every generation who answered, and continue to answer, the call to defend this great land and are proud to call America "home."

The United States Army Field Band is considered by music critics to be one of the most versatile and inspiring musical organizations in the world. Joined by the Soldiers’ Chorus, performances include the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet and Americana.

The Soldiers’ Chorus is the vocal complement of The United States Army Field Band of Washington, DC. The 29-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of the “Musical Ambassadors of the Army.” The Soldiers’ Chorus has performed in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, India, the Far East, and throughout Europe.

Though a chorus of “singing instrumentalists” often performed with the Field Band in its early history, the Soldiers’ Chorus was officially formed in 1957, when trained vocalists were first hired. Since the Army was an all-male entity at that time, the original chorus was an all-male ensemble. The later restructuring of the Army Bands program led to the hiring of the first full-time female vocalist in 1974. From that point, the Soldiers’ Chorus has evolved into the traditional mixed chorus of sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones and basses. Early chorus highlights include performances for President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Prayer Breakfast in 1961; the New York, Seattle and Knoxville World’s Fairs; and Expo ’67. In 1986, the Soldiers’ Chorus performed for the rededication of the Statue of Liberty.

European engagements have included appearances in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany for the 40th anniversary of D-Day, and a 1987 performance at the Berlin Philharmonie, celebrating the city’s 750th anniversary. A 1987 tour to the Far East included concerts in South Korea, Okinawa and Japan. During a 1989 visit to the Republic of India, the Soldiers’ Chorus performed for Indian President R. Venkataraman and Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi.

The Soldiers’ Chorus has performed in the nation’s foremost venues, including Symphony Hall in Boston, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Ill., the Hollywood Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and frequently in radio and television broadcasts. Notable performances include the state funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford as a part of The Armed Forces Chorus, and appearances with the Boston Pops; the Cincinnati Pops; the Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville and National Symphony Orchestras and national and regional conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and Chorus America.

The United States Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus performs a free concert at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), located at 425 Fawell Blvd., on the campus of College of DuPage, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 17. Tickets are free but advance reservations are required. To secure tickets email themac@cod.edu. Four ticket maximum per order, based on availability. Tickets will be held at will call and will be available for pickup beginning at noon Friday, March 13. Tickets must be picked up by no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. Unclaimed tickets may be released for use by other patrons. For more information visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630-942-4000.