Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Emily Perkins, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division Band, sings...... read more read more
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CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. (Sept. 1, 2022) –- After the COVID-19 pandemic having halted nearly all performances for two years, the 42nd Infantry Division Band hit the road once again for a tour around New York this past summer.
The band had limited performances due to the pandemic, playing just at military installations in order to meet their yearly training requirements.
This tour was the first time since 2019 that the band performed for civilian audiences at stops across down state New York.
“So much of what we do is energized by doing it for an audience,” said Staff Sgt. Pamela Pfiel, who plays the flute and works in operations for the band. “Getting that audience feedback and feeling that energy and having that taken away, was hard for all of us.”
Pfiel, who joined the band in 2002 as a junior in high school following the events of 9/11, said joining the band was her way of serving her country which has seen her deploy with the 42nd Infantry Division to the Middle East.
She said the rigorous audition process and all the training and proficiency required of the band, is done to lead up to being able to perform for audiences.
“All of the stuff that we do all year, we do that all so we get to go on tour,” she emphasized. “It is just the pinnacle of our year, so it’s been a long few years of not traveling.”
The tour kicked off with a performance that served as a dress rehearsal at the New York National Guard’s Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor. This was followed by performances across the New York City area, including at the United Nations building.
“Performing is amazing,” said Pfiel.
“Seeing the impact the music makes on our audience and how music takes people to so many different places and you get to see that,” she said.
During the down time brought on by COVID-19, the band was still auditioning and bringing in new musicians who will be touring for the very first time.
“It’s amazing, there’s so much youth and talent filling this band right now,” said Pfiel. “It’s a very special band right now, we’re up at full strength and the music really benefits from that.”
Some of the band’s members who joined before the pandemic have been waiting years for this opportunity to tour.
“I joined at the very end of 2019,” said Staff Sgt. Emily Perkins, a vocalist and pianist with the band.
For the previous three and a half years, Perkins was on active duty performing in the Army band at Fort Bliss, Texas, with the big difference being that active duty bands mostly perform in ceremonial capacities.
“It was absolutely a surprise,” Perkins said about discovering the Army had bands.
She said she learned about the bands shortly before graduating college from others who were enlisting to join military bands.
Now, two and a half years as a musician with no audience, Perkins said she also has been highly anticipating this moment.
“So much work goes into these few days for our rehearsals and everything,” she said. “We put out an advertisement, people know about this that we’re going to be performing this summer.”
Perkins agreed that one of the best things about performing is always the people and the connections that are formed through music.
“I know that what I’m doing is more than just for my own enjoyment,” she continued.
“Music is a universal language, we could be playing for an audience of people that don’t even speak English but it doesn’t matter because they’re there to enjoy the music,” said Perkins.
Being a musician and a performer has become an identity for the members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band, but they’re also proud to be Soldiers who get to act as ambassadors for the Army, Pfiel explained.
“Being in this band, being in the Army is who I am,” said Pfiel. “Serving my country in my way is very important to me.”
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2022 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 429497 |
| Location: | CAMP SMITH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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