CONCERT
NIGHT
BAND COMMANDER AND CONDUCTORS
LTC Linda Crain Buckner
MSG Bernice Goldstein
CWO5 Jennie Pace
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BAND SECTIONS
PERCUSSION
Ann Fox- SSG Barbara Lush- SSG Judy Toth Bingham -Linda Shelton-
Ida Knight- LTC Teddi Hammlet -Julie Plummer- Pat Kessler- SFC Karen Syverson
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TRUMPETS
SSG- Starrann Wise- SFC Rene
Hayes- MSG Melinda Whitman,-Gail Belmont- Lennie Anderson Blanton- Shirley Coates Austin- MAJ Kathryn Smith Hansen - and
Deb Kierwa Davis.
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FLUTES
Dr/ 1SG Therese Kerby, Dolores Madden Ward- Jan Larson-
Pat Wadlington- Mary Framsted Atkinson
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TUBA
Pat Zuelke- Dr. Joanna Hersey- SFC Helen Gillespie.
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EUPHONIUM
Sylvia Greenstein- SFC Carol Jensen- Lori Lawrence
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TROMBONES
1SG Dixie Jensen- Pat Langton- CSM Beth Hammer-Susie
Hom.
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SAXOPHONES
Karen Nicol- LTC Karen Ekberg Karen Brooks- 1SG
Deb Dahlman- 1SG Cheryl
Wasson -Gyl Holland -Della Coates Tuggle- SP5 Bob Delano.
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FRENCH
HORNS
Debbie Scharf - Martie Peart Clark-Ann Logan Crossland-Christine
Marseal.
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CLARINETS & OBOE
CWO5 Jeanne Pace- Sue Preston Andrewlevick- Carol Bazan-Maryellen
Rhue Morris-Laurie Everett Searle-CPT Joy Boyd Bodner-Leigh Plumbly Altman. Jan Porter
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ANNOUNCER/ MC
SFC
Karen Syverson
US
Army ret
(Dignitaries), sister WACs, fellow soldiers and veterans, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the seventh bi-annual reunion concert
of the Womens Army Corps Band. We are so happy to be home at Ft McClellan, Alabama with the audience that helped make us a
symbol of the Women’s Army Corps.
The 14th Army Band (WAC) played our last official concert in May, 1976. It is now forty years later and the WAC Band continues
to perform our military mission of morale and esprit de corps of the troops.
In 1974, the Kiki Dee band released a song that many of the more mature crowd might remember called I;ve Got the Music
in Me. So with that playing in the background, let;s build us a Band. Ladies and gentlemen, we;ve got the music in us!
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Every unit needs a commander and we have been blessed to have at least one of ours at every reunion. LTC Linda Crain Buckner
came to us as a Second Lieutenant straight out of the WAC Officer basic course. I’m reasonably sure the band was
a learning experience for her. She retired a Lieutenant Colonel and we are really proud of her. Colonel Buckner, please come
forward to receive your troops.
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PERCUSSION SECTION
Ann Fox is leading in a percussion section made up of Barbara Lush, Judy Toth Bigham, Linda Shelton, Ida Knight, Teddie Hamlett,
Julie Plumer and Pat Kessler. Eight drummers drumming! Bet they;ve got the music in them.
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TRUMPET SECTION
The trumpet section has Starrann Wise thinking she’s leading them, with Rene Hayes, Melinda Whitman, Gail Belmont,
Lennie Anderson Blanton, Shirley Coates Austin,Kathryn Smith Hansen and Deb Kierwa Davis bringing in more music.
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EUPHONIUM
AND TUBA SECTION
During World War Two there were actually five WAC Bands – known then as Army Service Forces Bands. Ladies and gentlemen,
we have a WWII WAC Band member leading in the Euphonium and tuba sections. Euphonium player Sylvia Greenstein joined the Army
and the 401st Army Services Band in 1943 and just turned ninety-four years young. Sylvia, please lead in your section with
Carol Jensen, Lori Lawrence, and our tuba players Pat Zuelke, Dorma Parker, Dr. Joanna Hersey, and Helen Gillespie. They’ve
got the music in them too
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TROMBONES
Next we have trombones led in by our First Sergeant, Dixie Jensen, with Pat Langton, Beth Hammer, and Susie Hom. Bringing
the music with them
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SAXOPHONES
Our saxophones are lead by Karen Nicol, with Karen Ekberg, Karen Brooks, Deb Dahlman, CherylWason, the last of us still serving
and thought by some to be the last WAC serving in any component. She is retiring from the position of 1SG of the 451st Army
Reserve Band in November, Gyl Holland, Della Coates Tuggle, and our sax player with the significant facial hair problem, Bob
Delano. Bob is the last person to join the 14th Army Band while it still carried the WAC designation and is a legitimate member
of the WAC Band.We are all really proud of our baby brother.
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OBOE
They are joined by our part time sax player and full time bassoon player Gennie B. Grover Arledge. Were really starting to
add the music in us
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FRENCH HORNS
Our French Horn section starts with Debbie Scharf, followed by Martie Peart Clark, Ann Logan Crossland, and Christine Marseal.
They got the music!
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CLARINETS
At our last reunion I forgot to bring in the clarinets. I can assure you they havent forgotten about me! One little mistake.
We;ll start the clarinets with retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeanne Pace, Sue Preston Andrewlevick, Carol Bazan, Maryellen
Rhue Morris, Laurie Everett Searle, Joy Boyd Bodner, and Leigh Plumbly Altman. We;ll add Jan Porter on oboe. They got the
music in them
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FLUTES
Lets add some flute tooters! Dr. Therese Kerby, Dolores Madden Ward, Patricia Wadlington, Mary Framsted Atkinson, and Janice
Richards Larson, up here playing keyboard for us. Lots of music in them
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CONDUCTOR
Our Enlisted Bandleader and the principal conductor
of the WAC Band, Master Sergeant Bernice Rita Goldstein, joined the Army in 1952 and when she retired
in 1974 became the last of us to serve her entire career in the WAC Band. Better known to most as Goldie, over the years she
has branched out from her original French Horn to every instrument she can put her hands on. She currently continues her mission
playing keyboard and entertaining the troops in Biloxi, MS at the Armed Forces Soldiers and Sailors Retirement Home. Goldie
is escorted by Stan Morris and Stan Altman. You better believe Goldie’s got the music in her!
We are the Women’s Army Corps Band and we’ve
got the music in us!
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Grand Old Flag
I am your flag. I am the flag of the United States of America. I am called Old Glory. I am called the Star Spangled Banner.
I am the rockets; red glare, the bombs bursting in air. I am the imminence of patriotism. I am the trenches in France, Belgium,
Anzio, Normandy, Omaha Beach, Guadalcanal, and Korea. I am the jungle of Vietnam and the sands of Desert Storm and the streets
of Bosnia. I am One nation under God;. I am the names of those who never came back to keep this republic free. When you salute
me, you are actually saluting them. I am the symbol of America. The home of the proud, the brave and the free.
Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the posting of the colors and the National Anthem.
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Conducted by MSG Bernice Goldstein
(America the Beautiful)
Oh beautiful for spacious skies, a song that so aptly describes in so few words the thoughts and feelings of the millions
of people who make this country their home. It describes the trials and tribulations overcome in the founding of a nation,
her bitter struggle for freedom and independence, and the steadfast determination and willing sacrifice of her people to keep
this hard won freedom. There is a prayer and a hope in this song that our people will continue to walk with freedom, and walk
with dignity and pride. But above all is the special meaning it holds for the men and women in uniform. This song stands for
the principles for which we serve – America the Beautiful.
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Tonight we present an encore performance of the Womens Army Corps Band, beginning under the direction of Master Sergeant Bernice
Goldstein.
(WAC Medley)
There are so many success stories in the Band!Sitting up here tonight we have the first female first sergeant of a band
other than the WAC Band, a retired Command Sergeant Major who was the senior enlisted female in the Regular Army when she
retired, two retired Lieutenants Colonel, one retired Major who commanded the Idaho National Guard Band, one lady still serving
as First Sergeant in an Army Reserve Band,and many more. One of our more visible success stories is retired Chief Warrant
Officer Five Jeanne Pace. She served with us as a clarinet player, company clerk, and the drum major known as Pace the Mace,
then went on to become a Warrant Officer commanding her own bands, to include the Old Guard Fife and Drum. She retired as
commander of the 1st Infantry Division Band and is now the assistant conductor of the WAC Band. Since she was by some accounts
the last WAC standing in the Regular Army, we believe her retirement closed the final chapter in the long history of the Women’s
Army Corps on Active Duty.
WAC MEDLEY
Conducted by CW5 Jeannie Pace
Chief Warrant Officer Pace returns to her roots to conduct us in what we call our WAC Medley, starting with The WAC is a Soldier
Too, the official song of the Women’s Army Corps, then Pallas Athena March written by MAJ Lois Sunny Kaplan, finishing
with Duty, called Colonel Bogey March by the rest of the world. In between the marches listen for the signature drum cadence
of the WAC Band (we’re turning our drummers loose again, oh, dear) and remember the thousands of WACs that we marched
on their way to a date with destiny.
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(Orion March)
Our next piece was written by our own clarinetist,
Julia Heller Oliver, exclusively to be performed at the 2016 Band reunion to honor the 68th anniversary of the
Band’s activation on 16 August 1948. We continued as an all-female band until 1976 when social changes brought about
the removal of our WAC status and male soldiers were assigned to the band.
This composition is lovingly dedicated to the memory
of LTC Alice V. Peters, who commanded the WAC Band for 11 years from 1951 to 1962. Under her leadership, the WAC Band performed
in three inaugural parades and the 1956 World’s Fair in New York. LTC Peters served in the Army for 21 years before
retiring in 1972. She passed away on 3 February 2015 but is fondly remembered by all of those who served under her.
Composed by Julie Oliver, arranged by Robert Bruerle,
we give you the premier performance of Orion March.
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(Bugler’s Holiday)
Part of the distinctive sound of the WAC Band comes from our brass players. Trumpet
players being the way they are, they are convinced that means them. Through the years, we have enjoyed some of the best of
the best brass players. Tonight we have Lennie Blanton, Melinda Whitman and Kiwi Davis up to lead the way, but it could have
been any three of our trumpets tonight. This a piece of music after their own hearts! Kim, this one’s for you.
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(Lassus Trombone)
Henry Fillmore was raised in a deeply religious family.
They objected to his interest in secular music so he left home and joined a circus band as a trombone player. Many of our
marches with strong trombone parts were written by him. One of his best known is Lassus Trombone. We’ve featured our
trumpets, and our trombones want in on this showing off stuff. Let’s let Dixie Jensen, Beth Hammer, Susie Scarr and
Pat Langton have some fun too with Lassus Trombone.
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Conducted by CW5 Jeannie Pace
(Them Basses)
In 2014 the International Women in Brass recognized
the WAC Band with their Circle of Excellence Award. The citation reads: To honor all women who served in America’s Military
Bands during and after WWII. In addition to providing music, morale and strength for our troops and the general public, you
stood for core values of professionalism, honor and dignity. We thank you for your service.
Conducted by CW5 Jeannie Pace
Now flash forward to our reunion. We have a guest artist tonight - Dr. Joanna Hersey from the International Women in Brass.
Dr. Hersey is from originally from Vermont and a former member of THE US Coast Guard Band, where she became their principal
tubist at the advanced age of 19. Her resume includes playing for three US Presidents (so did we), The Today Show, Good Morning
America, (who wants to get up that early?) and playing with artists like Placido Domingo, Roberta Flack, Arlo Guthrie, Michael
Bolton, Lee Greenwood, and many more. She now travels the world as a Yamaha performing artist as well as holding the position
of Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She asked to come to our reunion
so we asked her to play with us because of her service in the Coast Guard. Dr. Hersey joins our own Helen Gillispie and Pat
Zuelke in a fun march called, what else, Them Basses
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Conducted by MSG Bernice Goldstein
As the WAC Band traveled the country, we played few pieces that were more popular with an audience then our next song. Dixieland
Jamboree is a compilation of three tunes, starting with Copenhagen, then Basin Street Blues, and finishing with When the Saints
Go Marching In. Our Dixieland group tonight is made up of Starrann Wise on trumpet, Beth Hammer on trombone, Bob DeLano on
saxophone, Laurie Searle on clarinet, Helen Gillispie on Sousaphone, and Ann Fox on drums. We hope you have as much fun listening
as we have playing!
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No
conductor for this selection
(You Make Me Feel So Young)
Over our last several reunions it has become a tradition
to play at least one big band number. In the past we’ve tried to thank a past McClellan commander by playing a jitterbug,
but this time we want to honor our audience. Be patient while we set this up – we ain’t as quick as we used to
be. This says it all about how we feel about our audience. You Make Us Feel So Young.
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A WAC Band reunion concert could not happen without the help of so many people! While the Band catches their breath and goes
back to a concert configuration, let us take a few minutes to thank those people thathave worked so hard to help us make this
happen. The first people to thank is our own band members that have come from the four corners of the country to be with us
tonight. One even came from Germany!
COL Christopher Morgan 313th Army Band, Birmingham AL
CW3 William Green; Instruments
CW4 Gary Clark: Operations bldg maint
MSG Robert O'day; plans, ops, schedule, coordination
SFC Robert Ray: Community Relations
Barbara Perryman: Security law enforment officer
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GAIL BELMONT'S QUILTS OF HONOR
Gail is an Army Veteran and a Veteran who strives endlessley to honor Veterans and those who serve in harms way. Gail knows
how our warriors feel, not just in the present conflicts, but in the past wars that our country has fought protecting our
freedoms. Scars may not show, but that does not mean a warrior is unaffected. In 2005 we began our journey, one that would
lead us to form a nonprofit organization called Quilts of Honor.
Gail
Belmont is the founder and Executive Director of Quilts of Honor America. She began her service in the military in 1969, playing
Taps in the US Army Corp Band. Since that time, Gail has played a prominent role in the support of her fellow veterans and
warriors by continuing her service of playing Taps at the services of fallen soldiers. She currently holds the position of
District Director at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial and since Quilts of Honor America began in 2010, they have awarded over
700 quilts to veterans. Gail lives and runs Quilts of Honor America from her home in Valley Springs, California. Gail Belmont
is being recognized as a Champion of Change for her dedication to service and her continued support for efforts to: end homelessness,
boost employment and treat mental health disparities for fellow veterans.
ISG MOLLY EDWARDS
LTC
PAT DEFRIEZE
President
of WAC Chapter 62
SSG Barbara Gill
member of the WAC Veterans Association and Chaper 62
Honor Guard
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Conducted by MSG Bernice Goldstein
(Duty Honor Country)
We stood upon our sister's shoulders; the ones who served from the Revolutionary
War and through all of those years afterward, until it was our turn. And now, our younger sisters in arms are standing upon
our shoulders as they continue the tradition of honorable service by women in the military. We are, and always will be, proud
veterans and soldiers for life..!
It is a duty and an honor to serve this great nation
of ours, a sacred trust accepted by every person on active duty, in the reserves, in the National Guard - whether they served
their term and got out or retired from service. All of the veterans here tonight know the meaning of Duty, Honor, Country.
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Jeanne
(God of Our Fathers)
Our next selection was written in 1876 for a small
4th of July Centennial celebration of our great nation and evolved to become the National Hymn. The words to God of Our Fathers were written by Daniel Roberts in 1876, but were sung to a different
tune. George Warren wrote a new melody for the centennial of our constitution in 1888 and that is the melody still used today.
The arranger, Claude Smith, started writing music in 1955 while assigned to the 371st Army Band, Ft Leavenworth,
KS and wrote the powerful, moving arrangement we will play today. We would like to dedicate this to all the comrades in arms
we have lost, but especially to our 12 fallen Band sisters we have lost in the last two years.
- God of
our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band Of shining worlds in splendor through the
skies, Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
- Thy love divine hath
led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast; Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, Thy Word
our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
- From war’s alarms,
from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous
goodness nourish us in peace.
- Refresh Thy people
on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day; Fill all our lives with love and grace divine, And
glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.
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(Army Goes)
The color guard from the Women’s Army Corps Veteran’s Association Chapter
#62, also known as the Heritage Chapter has honored us by posting and retiring the colors for all of our reunions. Led by
Command Sergeant Major Brendia Eddington, with SFC (Ret) Debbie Godby, SSG (Ret) Wilma Green, and Barbara Gill, these ladies
show the pride and precision of an Active Duty WAC color guard.
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The WAC Band considers itself to be, first and foremost,
a military band. We try to stay current with our protocol since with the state of the world today we might be recalled to
active duty. To conclude tonight’s concert we ask you stand for the retirement of the colors and remain standing for
the playing of Army Goes.
(God Bless America)
WAC CHAPTER 62 HONOR GUARD
RETIRE THE COLORS
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Encore
(Stars and Stripes)
Conducted by CW5 Jeannie Pace
One more? Let’s feature our flute tooters Jan
Larson, Pat Wadlington, Therese Kerbey, Gennie B. Arledge, and Dolores Ward in Sousa’s Stars and Stripes.
Will the members of the Band in the audience please
come forward to join your sections?
Ladies and gentlemen, we ARE the Women’s Army
Corps Band.
We thank you for joining us tonight and look forward
to seeing you in 2018.
CLOSING
BAND ON THE TOWN
OH WHAT A NIGHT
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