The Green Machine’s 8th Regiment Band performed and showcased the brass instruments to a group of students from the Hunters Woods’ Saturday School for the Arts outreach initiative Saturday, February 22.
“The event went extremely well,” said Chris Troiano, band leader and Academy instructor for trombone and euphonium. “The students were very attentive throughout the performance and asked very good questions about the music, the band, and the school.”
A subdivision of the Green Machine, the 8th Regiment Band is a brass ensemble specialized in performing 1860s Civil War-era music. During the visit, the band members introduced the history of brass instruments, brass bands, and American music, and played several war-time inspired music such as “Maggie By My Side,” “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” “Marching Through Georgia,” and “Slumber Polka.”
Students showed great interest in the performance and asked detailed questions about the roles of brass bands during the war and how bands were formed in the army.
After the performance, band members shared their college experience and career goals and invited students to hold and play the instruments. Visiting students took the opportunity to ask specific band members about their instruments and their musical background.
“I really enjoyed playing the music for the students and seeing them have fun while listening,” said Troiano. “It was great to see both the students’ interest being peaked as well as the band members having the opportunity to have one-on-one interactions with audience members.”
The Saturday School for the Arts at Hunters Woods is one of Academy’s outreach initiatives that help gain access to arts education for all students of the community. The initiative brings 50 students each year to Mason campus for arts enrichment activities. In fall 2019, the group visited the School of Theater for a behind-the-scenes tour and engaged in a conversation with the faculty and students.
Generous donations from our community support the Saturday School for the Arts initiative. If you are interested in donating to the initiative, visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/outreach/saturday-school.