The New Mexico Army National Guard’s 44th Army Band’s “Spirit of New Mexico Summer Concert Series” will arrive in Silver City on Sunday, June 30 at 3 PM in WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater.  The 44th Army Band's mission of “Service through Music” continues to honor our nation and support the local communities through free musical performances. 

The 44th Army Band is “New Mexico’s Own” Army National Guard Band and the state’s musical military ambassador. The band served during significant periods of the nation’s history, most notably during World War II as the 200th Coast Artillery Band. On April 9, 1942, the band was surrendered to the Japanese and forced to march in Corregidor and on the Bataan Peninsula, thus earning their nickname “The Battling Bastards of Bataan.” The band was deactivated in the 1960s and remained inactive until the late 1970s when it was re-activated as the 44th Army Band. In 2011, the band deployed a team to Kosovo where they performed over 60 missions in five months.  

Today, the 44th Army Band performs in support of military, civic, and diplomatic events across the state of New Mexico. The band, led and conducted by Capt. Silas Huff, is known for its upbeat, dynamic tunes that capture the crowd’s attention and deliver a one-of-a-kind performance. As part of the performance, the 44th Army Band will also feature its Jazz Collective, the Breaking Brass Band, the Mariachi Adelante and the Green Chile Rock.

The concert is free, no tickets required. Just show up for a fun afternoon of great music.

The concert is sponsored by the Grant County Community Concert Association and WNMU.  For more information call 575-538-5862 or visit on-line at www.gcconcerts.org