American Military Musicians on Stage of the Stefánia Palace

During their 2018 Central-Eastern European tour, the US Army Europe Band visited Hungary again as another example of the excellent American-Hungarian military co-operation.

In answer to our question Lieutenant Colonel Dwayne Milburn, the Commander of the Band said: as the military musicians are stationing in Germany, they would like to appear in each NATO Member State of Europe. He added: they performed in Budapest most recently in 2015. “At our today’s concert we shall play among others some pieces of music by American composers, but as we are performing in Hungary right now, you will hear Dances of Transylvania from the compositions of Béla Bartók as well"- the conductor detailed the program. Lieutenant Colonel said about the band: “The US Army Europe Band was founded in 1940, together with its partner ensemble, the USAREUR Soldier’s Chorus, with whom they number altogether 100 persons, but today only the band will be on-stage.

Before the concert Defence Attaché Colonel Donald Baker in his greeting address said: the co-operation of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the US Army is constantly making progress, and he is very glad that the band can appear in Budapest for the second time.

During the nearly two-hour performance, the American military musicians played a wide spectrum of music, beginning from marches up to classical melodies.

The USAREUR orchestra is an extremely versatile and popular ensemble. Components include a 65 piece concert band, a marching band and ceremonial group, jazz combo, Dixieland band, modern “Big Bone Brass Band" and several chamber groups. Their repertoire is accordingly rich, ranging from the Dixieland and Jazz through spirituals up to classical music. It is not easy to join the band, the majority of the members had studied in highly regarded conservatories and universities prior to their military service.

The ambassadors of the United States in music will fascinate the audience next time in Debrecen on April 28.

Photos: Tünde Rácz