ALCOAST 209/19 - JUN 2019 U.S. COAST GUARD BAND 2019 GREAT LAKES CONCERT TOUR

R 191318 JUN 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05700//
ALCOAST 209/19
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ:  U.S. COAST GUARD BAND 2019 GREAT LAKES CONCERT TOUR
1. The United States Coast Guard Band proudly announces its 2019 Great Lakes Tour, which runs
from 29 JULY to 11 AUG. Concerts will take place in Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Okemos,
Muskegon, Grand Haven, Bay Harbor, Cheboygan, and Marquette, Michigan; Wausau, Brussels, and
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Wheaton, Illinois. 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 Band's website at
https://www.uscg.mil/Community/Coast-Guard-Band/tours/.
2. Entertaining and inspiring music is programmed for the 2019 Great Lakes Concert Tour.
Concerts will include spirited patriotic numbers, virtuosic Coast Guard Band soloists, and
music that showcases the Band's high level of professionalism and artistry through concert band
repertoire by John Williams, Aaron Copland, and George Gershwin.
3. The Coast Guard Band was organized in March 1925 with the assistance of several visionaries
including "American March King" John Philip Sousa. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed
congressional legislation resulting in the Coast Guard Band becoming the permanent, official
musical representative of the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service. Today, the 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 the 2018 State Funeral of President George H.W. Bush, the 2017 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 in advance in order to secure
high-quality venues. For information regarding future tour plans, contact Band Tours at
https://www.uscg.mil/Community/Band/. We encourage proactive engagement from all Coast Guard
units who can highlight vibrant local communities that would welcome and celebrate performances
by the CG Band.
5. Band personnel are available to perform at various Coast Guard functions, educational
concerts, patriotic openers, and concerts throughout the country. For more information about
how to partner with or request the Band, please visit: www.uscg.mil/band or contact the Event
Booking Coordinator, MUCS Josh Thomas at CGA-DG-BandEvents@uscg.mil.
6. RDML Melissa Bert, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.