36th Army Band returns to Yuma

The 36th Army Band from Fort Huachuca will be in Yuma Friday to give locals a taste of world music during their Around the World in 80 Minutes concert.
 
They will fill the air with the melodious sounds of patriotic marches, medleys and tunes at 7 p.m. at the Yuma Historic Theatre, 254 Main St. in downtown Yuma.
 
The event is free to the public, but tickets are required. Seating is limited, so event organizers advise concert-goers to obtain tickets early.  Any remaining tickets will be distributed at the door.
 
The free tickets are available now at the Yuma Art Center.
 
For more information, call 328-6533 or 373-5202.
 
This will be one of the few summer performances of the band in Yuma, and will give year-rounders a chance to see the show without having to compete with throngs of winter visitors.
 
"Most of the free concerts have been in the winter, and many of the 640 seats are filled by winter visitors," said Chuck Wullenjohn, YPG public affairs officer.
 
"The summertime performance will give locals a better opportunity to get a seat. This is a top notch show and you can't go wrong."
 
The 36th Army Band carries on the tradition started by musicians who accompanied the troops of Gen. George Washington more than 200 years ago. 
 
As the only active duty military band in Arizona, the 40-member ensemble is in great demand for parades, concerts and other musical events. The band logs more than 30,000 miles each year fulfilling commitments in Arizona, California and Nevada.
 
"I've been to practically every performance they have had in Yuma over the last seven or eight years, and they have been highly professional and are very talented. You can't beat the entertainment. They will perform music from many different styles which will cater to many different musical tastes," Wullenjohn said.
 
The band is returning to Yuma after staging a concert here last year that played to a packed house at the same theater.
 
According to Wullenjohn, the members of the band were very impressed with the Yuma community and look forward to returning.

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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.