Reflections of America

The Concert Band Contest at the 105th National Convention on Aug. 24 featured four competition bands, two exhibition bands, six marches and one singalong. Below are the performing bands and their selections.

The American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City (Mo.):

“Toccata Marziale” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, debuting at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924;

“Boy Scouts of America March” by John Philip Sousa, written expressly for the Scouts in 1916 and originally including lyrics;

“Oberon: Overture” by Carl Maria von Weber, from a German Romantic opera.

American Legion Band of the Tonawandas (Post 264, Tonawanda, N.Y.):

“Through Countless Halls of Air, Third Movement” written by Francis McBeth for the U.S. Air Force Band;

“The Melody Shop,” a march by Carl King;

“E' l'ora solita, Opus 29” by Franco Sabani, written in the spirit of a European youth festival dating back to 1729.

Crescent City American Legion Post 377 Band (Kenner, La.), with the theme of “Salute to Heroes”:

“Black Men at March,” a piece reflective of the Vietnam Memorial;

“The Falls” by Rossano Galante, evoking the majesty of waterfalls;

“Minnesota Portrait, Movements 1/3” by Samuel Hazo, bringing to life the state in different seasons.

Joliet (Ill.) American Legion Band:

“Oh, Henry! March” by Ryan Nowlin, written in 2011 for the 130th anniversary of the birth of Henry Fillmore, considered an icon to fans of band music and concert marches;

“One Life Beautiful,” written by Julie Giroux in 2010 and commissioned by the Cramer family after the death of their daughter;

“Sea Songs” by Thomas Knox, written in 1980 for Boston’s 350th anniversary.

North Dakota American Legion State Band (celebrating its centennial this year):

“Invercargill March,” composed by Alex Lithgow and named after his hometown in New Zealand;

A rendition of “Amazing Grace” arranged by William Hines;

“St. Louis Blues March” by Glenn Miller.

Minnesota 9th District American Legion Band:

“American Legion March” by Charles Wesley Parker, 

“Elegy for the U.S.S. Arizona,” by Larry MacTaggart, dedicated to all veterans and the 1,100 entombed with the ship;

“The Ultimate Patriotic Singalong,” an arrangement featuring “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful,” You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless the USA.” 

National Commander Daniel Seehafer, who presented the awards, was a saxophone player in high-school bands who transitioned to the bass. He extolled all the songs reflecting on America in war and peace: “There’s no other country like ours, right?”

The final scores:

Tonawandas: 96.67 

Joliet: 94.83

Kansas City: 89.67

Kenner: 86.0