Photo By Lisa Crawford | The Nebraska Army National Guard’s 43rd Army Band celebrated the unit’s 70th...... read more read more
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The Nebraska National Guard’s 43rd Army Band celebrated the unit’s 70th anniversary with a concert, June 16, at Antelope Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. More than 100 community members, veterans and band alumni braved the June heat to attend the hour-and-a-half performance led by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Anderson, 43rd Army Band commander.
“Seventy years of providing service to the Soldiers and citizens of the state of Nebraska – and also to some national and international Army installations,” said Anderson, who has commanded the 43rd Army Band for more than a decade. “It’s something that we’re very proud of, so when we have something like this, we like to bring our alumni back.”
Alumni members of the Nebraska Army National Guard band were invited to participate in the second half of the concert, which included the return of two former commanders of the 43rd Army Band to the conductor’s podium – Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 William Splichal and Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeff Klintberg.
The concert had a little something for everyone, including traditional marches, classic selections from West Side Story, jazz and ragtime music, a ballad with an oboe solo by alumnus Bob Jenkins and more. And at the conclusion of the concert, the band played a service medley as a salute to every veteran in attendance.
“It’s absolutely exciting; what a thrill,” said Klintberg, who retired from the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2007 after commanding the band for more than 25 years. “One of the greatest things that the Army has is the largest band program in the world.”
Klintberg said when it comes to morale – both within the military and the community alike – it’s a product to be sold. While the Army has downsized its musical footprint over the years, Klintberg said he really objects to the idea that the Army doesn’t need bands.
“We have an awesome responsibility,” he said. “When things get tough, who goes out and puts a positive image in front of the tax payers, the voters and the parents?”
“That’s our mission, the musical aspect of it,” he added. “To sell a positive image of the Army, its Soldiers and the men and women who serve this country. To provide music in harm’s way when we have to. This is a little slice of heaven. And we’re out there selling a product that we’re all proud of and there’s no band out there that does it better than this one.”
Band alumna Laura Peter, a flute and piccolo player, traveled from her home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for the 70th anniversary concert after being “heartbroken” when she missed the 50th anniversary in 1998.
“It was great seeing all the people I served with in the band, and it was a wonderful opportunity to play again,” she said. Peter, who left the Nebraska Army National Guard in 1989 after 10 years of service to take a commission as a Navy physician, said she hasn’t had much involvement with music since she left the Guard.
“I just want to thank the current band members for letting me play,” she said.
Current band member and tuba player, Sgt. Jason Lenz, said the concert gave him the opportunity to meet new alumnae members like Peter, and to reconnect with old friends.
“Just hearing different stories, their connections with the 43rd Army Band family and then seeing the commanders from the ’40s and ’70s was really cool,” Lenz said. “It’s just eye-opening to see all of the different possibilities that are with the Guard and the different stories they have to share of their experiences.”
Lenz joined the Nebraska National Guard during his senior year at Lincoln High School. After graduating in 2007, he went on to study music in college and currently studies conducting while earning a master’s degree in music in Greeley, Colorado. Lenz said he joined the Guard for the educational benefits, but continues to drill with the Nebraska Army National Guard because of the “family aspect.”
“Over the last 11 years you’ve built these relationships within the unit that it’s hard to leave because they’re family,” he said. “I actually just moved out of state last year and so now this is my opportunity every month to come back, see my family in the Guard and family and friends outside of the Guard.”
Lenz said the Guard is a great opportunity for those who want a little bit of everything.
“It gives you the freedom to still serve your country and your state, but you still have a civilian side where you can still go make music in other venues,” he said. “You can have other jobs, and just work around the Guard. And the benefits are totally worth it. You can’t beat it.”
Anderson echoed those sentiments. “Most of our people in the band, just like any other Soldier in the Nebraska National Guard, they all have civilian jobs,” he said. “They come from all walks of life. We have people in law enforcement, health care, retail sales. We have a number of educators. And they all come together to serve the state of Nebraska and the citizens of Nebraska and the Soldiers of Nebraska through their musical talents.”
Anderson said band members must still do the same Army warrior tasks as any other Nebraska Army National Guard Soldier, but then they get to train on their primary mission – music – year round.
“A lot of people think it’s easy to pick up a horn and play, but it isn’t,” he said. “It takes a lot of hard work. It’s a perishable skill that had to constantly be nurtured to be able to play at the level we do, and it speaks well of our Soldiers that we’ve won nine Howard Awards as the outstanding military musical organization in the world.”
Anderson said bands are an important part of the Army’s heritage, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
“The band is important to morale and adds something to any military ceremony,” he said. “We’re a great public relations tool in addition to being necessary for ceremonies and patriotic events.”
Anderson said the turnout to the anniversary concert was another testament to the importance of the band and the Nebraska National Guard.
“They love the military and the patriotic feel they get when they’re here,” he added. “I don’t think we would get the crowds that we get if people didn’t love the military as a whole in Nebraska.”
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2018 13:09 |
| Story ID: | 305849 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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