OXFORD,
Miss. – From Washington, D.C., to Quebec City, St. Petersburg and
Tokyo, the United States Navy Band has been entertaining audiences of
all ages since 1925.
As part of its 2009 national tour, the
Navy’s premier musical ensemble performs Feb. 21 at the University of
Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
“The
U.S. Navy Band is comprised of some of the country’s finest musicians
and never ceases to thrill audiences around the world, with selections
from pop to jazz to classical,” said Norm Easterbrook, Ford Center
director. “It is an honor for the Ford Center to present the concert as
a service to the community.”
While the 8 p.m. concert is free to the public, tickets are required and can be obtained by visiting the UM Box Office in the Ole Miss Student Union from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are also available by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to UM Box Office, 301-B Student Union, University, MS 38677. There is a limit of four tickets per request.
The Navy Band occupies a position of national prominence as both a service tradition and a distinguished musical organization. The group performed at the inauguration of President Barack Obama and at 19 previous presidential inaugurations. It has taken its unique sound around the world, including appearances at military functions and festivals in Oslo, Stockholm and Quebec City.
From its earliest days, the band has been associated with distinguished celebrities. In 1929, it took to the airwaves with Arthur Godfrey on NBC’s “Hour of Memories” radio show. Gene Kelly was a featured performer with the band on “The Navy Hour” radio program, which was produced from 1945 to 1968. It has performed with Academy Award honorees and continues to be a presence on network radio and television.
For a complete list of Ford Center events, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/fordcenter/. For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7411.