{"id":83008,"date":"2017-07-23T03:34:19","date_gmt":"2017-07-23T07:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=83008"},"modified":"2017-07-22T21:18:20","modified_gmt":"2017-07-23T01:18:20","slug":"42nd-infantry-division-army-national-guard-band-tour-begins-in-nyc-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=83008","title":{"rendered":"42nd Infantry Division Army National Guard Band tour begins in NYC this week"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Band kick off their summer annual training concert tour with a free concert at the United Nations this Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Bandmembers of the famed “Rainbow Division” 42nd Infantry appear in communities across New York State this summer. The concert tour, conducted as part of the unit’s annual training, delivers music spanning and connecting generations. With the expected military traditional and classical music, the band’s range covers baroque to pop and jazz.<\/p>\n

WHO<\/strong>: New York Army National Guard “Rainbow Division” band members and music fans.<\/p>\n

WHAT<\/strong>: A free performance that begins the 42nd Infantry Division Band’s annual training summer concert tour<\/p>\n

WHEN<\/strong>:\u00a01 p.m.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Wednesday, July 26, 2017<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WHERE<\/strong>: 1 United Nations Plaza, New York City<\/p>\n

Media Opportunity:<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Video and imagery of military members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band performing for the public. Interviews with band members may be available up to 30 minutes prior to the unit performance. For details about linkup location or interviews prior to performances, contact Staff Sgt. Christopher Smalls,\u00a0christopher.c.smalls.mil@mail.mil<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(914) 944-6552<\/a>\u00a0for media availabilities<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Performances in 2017 will include a tribute to the World War I centennial, marking the mobilization and deployment of thousands of New York National Guard Soldiers in 1917 for service in France. The band will perform musical selections from that era as part of the unit’s commemoration of the creation of the 42nd Infantry Division in August 1917.<\/p>\n

Background<\/strong><\/u>:<\/p>\n

The “Rainbow Division” Band has a long history, first playing for troops in World War I when the nickname “Rainbow” Division was adopted within the 42nd Infantry.<\/p>\n

The unit’s music is broad and varied, with multiple groups performing. Classical music, marches, patriotic selections, jazz, rock and popular music are all within the band’s repertoire. Many musicians capably play more than one instrument.<\/p>\n

Today, members of the band train and maintain fitness on the same weapons and combat skills that all Soldiers learn, additionally practicing music.<\/p>\n

Members of New York’s Army National Guard since 1947, the band deployed in 2005 to Iraq as part of the 42nd Infantry’s Division headquarters. Band members played at ceremonies, in dining halls, for Iraqi officials and sometimes alongside Iraqi musicians.<\/p>\n

The 42nd Infantry Division Band, based at the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, is under the command of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark L. Kimes and 1st Sergeant Leslie G. Saroka.<\/p>\n

Upcoming performances this summer include:<\/u><\/p>\n