January 11, 2008

News 12's Richard Rogers will emcee a special performance of the United States Coast Guard Band at First Baptist Church in Augusta.

The United States Coast Guard Band, the Congressionally designated premier band of the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, brings a special performance to Augusta, Georgia, on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church.

Commander Kenneth W. Megan leads members of the Band in this performance, which is part of their first concert tour of 2008. In addition to monthly concerts at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, the Band regularly participates in presidential and cabinet level functions on formal and informal occasions. The Coast Guard Band has appeared in the former Soviet Union, Canada, and England, and in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

The performance includes a mélange of musical selections, including Wagner’s dramatic overture to “The Flying Dutchman” and Donald Grantham’s “Southern Harmony.” Musician 1st Class Lisa Williamson sings two selections by America’s colorful and accomplished musical icon, Leonard Bernstein: “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” and “Glitter and be Gay” from “Candide.” Chief Musician Brian Nichols is the horn soloist in Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Morceau de Concert.” MU1 Williamson returns to the stage to complete the program with the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

This performance is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For a maximum of four tickets, visit any branch of Georgia Bank and Trust, the Augusta Metro and Columbia County Chambers of Commerce, the Fort Gordon Federal Credit Union, or the First Baptist Church of Augusta. Alternatively, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Thom Tuckey, CSRA Alliance, P.O. Box 670, Augusta, GA 30903-0670.