TICONDEROGA, N.Y. --- Fort Ticonderoga will host the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. This renowned group has performed all over the country and the world in venues as diverse as all Presidential Inaugurals Parades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and on the Queen Elizabeth II entertaining World War II veterans on board at Normandy, France.
Though the cadets in the band change twice a year they sound like a seasoned group with years of experience. They have just issued a CD, “Music of the Marines – United States, Royal and Merchant” and have two more on the way. The Academy opened at Kings Point, N.Y., in 1943 and the band was originally made up of professional musicians from New York City. A full-time director was appointed and a company formed in 1971. The 80-strong band is now under the direction of Captain Kenneth Force, who is adamant about the importance of the cadets seeing Fort Ticonderoga.
“It will be a great history experience for the Midshipmen and I want the Fort to benefit, too,” Force said. The band is scheduled to perform at the Crown Point Celebration later in the day.
After taking an historical tour of the Fort, the band will muster and enter the parade ground en masse in their dress uniforms at 11:30. The repertoire includes popular military songs and patriotic marches, all accompanied by precision marches much like a half-time show.
Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit historical site and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission includes the USMMA Regimental Band performance as well as all exhibits, tours and The King’s Garden. The Fort is open through Oct. 20. The King’s Garden will close on Columbus Day. For additional information, go to www.FortTiconderoga.org.
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