ALCOAST 205/17 - JUL 2017 U.S. COAST GUARD BAND 2017 HEARTLAND CONCERT TOUR

R 030841 JUL 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05700//
ALCOAST 205/17
COMDNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  U.S. COAST GUARD BAND 2017 HEARTLAND CONCERT TOUR
1. The United States Coast Guard Band proudly announces its 2017 Heartland Tour, which runs
from 21 July to 28 July. Concerts will take place in San Antonio, Waco, Dallas, and Plano,
Texas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas; and Kansas City, Missouri. All
concerts are free and open to the public. In some cases free tickets may be required. A complete
listing of dates, locations, and ticket availability can be found on the Bands website:
www.uscg.mil/band.
2. Entertaining and inspiring music is programmed for this tour. Works will include rousing
marches by John Philip Sousa, spirited patriotic numbers, classic concert band repertoire by
Shostakovich and Brubeck, and virtuoso Coast Guard Band soloists. The ever-popular Dixieland
Band will also be featured in Manhattan, KS, and Kansas City, MO. All Coast Guard members,
employees, volunteers, family, friends, and veterans living in the Heartland are encouraged to
attend and support their Coast Guard Band.
3.  The US Coast Guard Band was organized in March of 1925 with the assistance of several
visionaries including “American March King” John Philip Sousa. Originally a small command
band employed primarily for local performances, the duties of the Band have greatly expanded
over the decades. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed congressional legislation
resulting in the Coast Guard Band becoming the permanent, official musical representative of
the nations oldest continuous seagoing service. Today, the U.S. Coast Guard Band is the proud
musical representative of our Service and the Department of Homeland Security, appearing
at presidential and cabinet level functions on formal and informal occasions including this years
Presidential Inauguration, the 2016 Veterans Day Parade in New York City, and the 2015
National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at The White House.
4. Coast Guard Band concert tour planning begins several years ahead in order to secure high-
uality venues. For information about plans for FY19 or FY 20, contact the tour marketing
director, MUC Jeffrey Emerich at Jeffrey.D.Emerich@uscg.mil.We encourage proactive
engagement from all Coast Guard units who can highlight vibrant local communities that would
welcome and celebrate performances by your Service Band.
5. Smaller ensembles and the Band vocalist are available to perform at various Coast Guard
functions, educational concerts, patriotic openers for sporting events, and concerts throughout the
country. For more information about how to book the band visit www.uscg.mil/band or contact
MUCS Heather Doughty at Heather.B.Doughty@uscg.mil.
6. Ms. Ellen Engleman Conners, Acting Director, Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
7. Internet release authorized.