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1st Infantry Division Band

The Big Red One Band

About Me

The 1st Infantry Division Band was first created on 12 October 1943 in the Regular Army as the "Band, 1st Infantry Division". Two months later the Band was called to duty in the European Theater of World War II where it served with valor and distinction in D-Day and throughout the rest of the campaign until the completion of WWII where it stayed with the Division in the famous "Fulda Gap" region until 1955.

It was then redeployed with the Division stateside to Fort Riley, KS where it remained until it was once again called upon to deploy to Vietnam in 1965. In the 5 year period in spent in Vietnam the 1ID Band once again performed with precision and valor in the face of combat. One very notable example of it's distinction in combat was the "Thunder Road" incident, which received national publicity. Major General John Hay, Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division, ordered his band to march down "Thunder Road" for a distance of one mile while playing the march Colonel Bogey. This road was critical to the division, but was under control of a North Vietnamese Army regiment located less than a mile away. The enemy, confused by the action, withdrew from the area. The 1st Infantry Division Band fulfilled a remarkable combat mission without firing a shot.

In 1970 the band once again redeployed to Ft. Riley, Kansas where it continued to serve the country through music. 20 years later it was once again called upon to join the Division in deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm, providing musical support and assistance as needed as the Big Red One led the charge into Iraq.

On April 10, 1996, the band once again uprooted and joined the "Fighting First" as it moved to the German city of Bamberg. Shortly after their arrival, the Big Red One Band began providing musical support and esprit de corps to Division soldiers in the embattled regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operations Joint Endeavor/Guard. During this time the band travelled to several European countries to perform for local nationals in France, Belgium, Austria and throughout Germany.

In 1999 the band began a period of several deployments to the Balkans to continue bringing musical support to the Division as it was deployed in the regions of Macedonia, and then in Kosovo with NATO’s Task Force Falcon.

In 2004 the Band performed it's most recent deployment to a combat zone when it accompanied the Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II where it spent one year performing for Division troops.

After nearly a decade of being forward deployed in Europe, the Balkans and Middle East, the Big Red One Band returned to Fort Riley, Kansas from Germany with the 1st Infantry Division on Aug. 1, 2006

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/3/2007
Band Website: riley.army.mil/OurPost/1IDBand.asp
Band Members: The 1st Infantry Division Band is made up of between 30 to 40 Soldier Musicians. It is primarily a wind ensemble made up of clarinet, oboe, flute, saxophone, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, euphonium, trombone and tuba. It also has rhythm instrumentation made up of percussion, guitar, bass guitar and piano.

Of this instrumentation the 1ID Band can perform in several different groups:

Concert Band

The Concert Band of the 1st Infantry Division Band performs in a wide spectrum of concert situations. Public concerts, official military functions, patriotic events, cultural celebrations, fests, school concerts and clinics are well within the performance realm of this truly talented ensemble. The 1st Infantry Division Band takes pride in its professional abilities and as Soldiers, promoting patriotism and the American way of life is among the most pleasing and rewarding aspects of their duties.

Marching Band

The Marching Band serves as the unit's main ceremonial ensemble. This group performs at military functions such as change of command ceremonies, military school graduations & parades. The band is often invited to perform in parades supporting Community Relations, providing the region with a certain musical excitement as only an Army Band can.

VICTORY 8! Rock Ensemble

The 1ID Rock Ensemble is a dynamic eight-member variety band that performs rock and popular music from many groups, including The Beatles, Earth, Wind and Fire, and newer artists such as Maroon 5 and Gretchen Wilson. This versatile ensemble performs in a wide variety of settings from open-air concerts to command sponsored events. The 1ID Rock Ensemble, led by Sgt. First Class Dan Rhoads, and consists of a classic rock and roll rhythm section, a powerful horn section and features Staff Sgt. Draper on lead vocals. These musicians are a high-energy band that all audiences will enjoy. These world travelers have acquired a diverse, impressive collection of rhythm & blues, country and western, dance and popular music just right for any occasion.

Stage Band

The Stage Band specializes in the music of the classic 'big bands', but is able to cover the entire gamut of today's music, as well as the music of decades past. Standards, classics from Basie, Ellington, Dorsey and Miller, hits from the 50s, blues, and modern jazz fall within the capabilities of this versatile ensemble.

Brass Quintet

Featuring the brilliance of brass instruments and a wide spectrum of musical repertoire, the 1st Infantry Division Band's Brass Quintet provides fine entertainment for anyoccasion. Whether the need is a concert, a ceremony, inspiration at Easter, or background music for a dedication, the Brass Quintet adds just the right touch to make any event complete.

Dixie Band

From the slow blues of despair to the energetic swing of happiness, the 1st Infantry Division Band's Dixieland Combo covers the spectrum of this truly American art form. Featuring both ensemble and improvisational skills, the Dixieland Combo performs in many capacities from official receptions to complete concerts for the public in neighboring cities.

J azz Combo

Name a classic bop or jazz standard, and the 1st Infantry Division Band Jazz Combo can play it. Capable of bringing all the style and flair of the most well known tunesto their audiences, the Combo usually features traditional Jazz -- pure class for any occasion. Perfect for social gatherings or concerts, this small ensemble delivers a big package of entertaining music for all ages.

Woodwind Quintet

The Woodwind Quintet consists of a flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn. They provide music for social gatherings and formal settings. The quintet has a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance and Baroque to the 20th Century styles.
Influences:..
Record Label: US Army
Type of Label: None

My Blog

New Webmaster

..> New Webmaster It's been fun creating and running the 1ID Band MySpace Website but I felt it would be better suited to by handled by our IMO / PAO.So if you have any questions or concerns pleas...
Posted by 1st Infantry Division Band on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:57:00 PST

Get involved with this page!

The 1ID Band myspace profile is to represent all members of the 1ID Band, both past and present!!! So, if you have any suggestions for the site, please send them!  If you have any pictures for th...
Posted by 1st Infantry Division Band on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:45:00 PST

COME SEE THE BIG RED ONE BAND!

You can view the performance schedule of the 1st Infantry Division Band at http://bands.army.mil/webschedule.asp?band=1ID&date=next _90...
Posted by 1st Infantry Division Band on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:39:00 PST