Army's Pershing's Own to Perform in Sarasota

The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Woodwind Quintet will travel to Sarasota to perform in a free concert at , 7750 Beneva Road, on Friday at 7 p.m.

Accompanying the Quintet on piano will be Dr. Joseph Holt, Artist-in-Residence for Faith Lutheran and Artistic Director of Gloria Musicae.  Holt retired in 2009 from The U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant, and was principal pianist for the US Army Chorus for 20 years. The concert is open to the public; no tickets are required.

“The scope of the program features chamber pieces for woodwinds and piano by composers Astor Piazzolla, Paul Hindemith, Albert Roussel and Theodor Blumer; they may not be household names but their music is charming and delightful,” said Holt.  “And the Quintet couldn’t be more outstanding – these are musicians who regularly perform for Presidents and Heads of State and now they are here in Sarasota to perform for our community.”

The Quintet includes flutist Master Sergeant Barbara Vigil, who has performed with the National Symphony, the Maryland Symphony, and the Prince William Symphony;clarinetist and pianist Sergeant First Class Donald Hoffman who studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary; bassoonist Sergeant First Class Max Wharton, who has performed with the Fairfax, Arlington, and Cedar Rapids symphonies; horn player Staff Sergeant Aaron Cockson, who has performed with National Cathedral Orchestra and Washington Concert Opera; and oboist Staff Sergeant Meredeth Rouse has performed as a guest with Boston Modern Orchestra Project  and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and currently plays English horn for the Fairfax Symphony in Virginia. 

 Founded in 1996, The United States Army Band Woodwind Quintet is one of the Army’s premiere chamber ensembles. An element of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” based in Washington, D.C., the quintet is frequently called upon in support of high-level military and civilian events at the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, and other locations around Washington, D.C. 

For more information about The U.S. Army Band, visit www.usarmyband.com.  For more information about this concert or Faith Lutheran Church, call 941.924.4664, or visit www.faithsarasota.com.