"The Beacon" Summer 2019 Edition
Our periodic mailing, available here in PDF format:
The Coast Guard Dixieland Jazz Band performs throughout the season in CT and MA:
New London, CT - May 26th, 1pm, Fort Trumbull State Park Springfield, MA - June 9th, 2pm, Springfield Armory New London, CT - June 21st, 4pm, Make Music Festival, Waterfront Park Stonington, CT - June 22nd, 12pm, Stonington Festival Mystic, CT - July 2nd, 7pm, Mystic River Park, 28 Cottrell St. Essex, CT - August 15th, 5:30pm, CT River Museum, 67 Main St. Branford, CT - August 22nd, 6:30pm, Summer Jazz Series, Branford Green Old Saybrook, CT - August 25th, 4pm, Old Saybrook Historical Society
Welcome to the Band, MU1 Robert Durie and MU1 Steven Zhang!
Musician First Class Robert Durie, originally from Parkland, FL, joins the Band as its bass clarinetist. Before joining the Coast Guard Band, Robert was living and teaching in Austin while earning an Artist Diploma at The University of Texas. In addition to attending The University of Texas, Robert has earned degrees in music performance from Florida State University and The University of Maryland. When not playing, Robert enjoys participating in triathlons and is an avid college football fan.
“I have taken several premier military band auditions, and am ecstatic to be the designated bass clarinetist of the Coast Guard Band. I’ve always greatly enjoyed playing the auxiliary instruments of the clarinet family, and now I make my living doing what I love most!”
Musician First Class Steven Zhang, originally from Vernon Hills, IL, is the newest member of the Band’s B-flat clarinet section. Prior to joining the Band, Robert was finishing his undergraduate degree in music performance at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. As a winner of Northwestern University’s concerto competition, Steven performed John Corigliano’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra with the Northwestern University Symphony in April and will be receiving his degree in June. When not playing, Steven enjoys watching the Arizona Cardinals and playing ultimate frisbee.
“I hadn’t expected to be performing in a professional ensemble so early in my career. I’m incredibly excited to be playing with this fantastic group!”
MUCS Richard Denton received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for volunteering more than 430 hours filing taxes for low-income community members as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program operated by the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA). In a ten-year period, MUCS Denton prepared 410 tax returns, which refunded approximately $900,000 to local residents.
MUCS Kelly Watkins was recognized for her outstanding achievements with a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for managing logistics for high-profile national engagements as Tour Logistics Coordinator and for her prominent role as a trumpeter in the United States Coast Guard Brass Quintet.
MUCS James Jackson’s superior performance was noted with a Coast Guard Achievement Medal. His service as Crew Chief enabled the 55-member Band to perform concerts on the road nationwide. Fostering a spirit of camaraderie, his leadership style increased members’ pride in the organization and allowed team members the opportunity to assume leadership roles that increased professional development.
MUC Adam Crowe was recognized with a Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his superior performance as tuba soloist in Jess Turner’s concerto Heavy Weather, which the Band also recorded for international release. Additionally, MUC Crowe solely managed the Band’s website, directly communicating the most up-to-date concert information to site visitors.
MUC Barrett Seals was honored with an Achievement Medal for his role as audition coordinator that entailed managing 11 auditions for openings within the Band. His meticulous administrative and managerial skills included coordinating advertisements in professional music journals and online media, corresponding with interested applicants, managing in-house volunteers to run the auditions that often occurred over several days, and setting up committees to listen to the auditions.
MUC Robert Holtorff’s outstanding achievements were honored with a Coast Guard Commendation Medal. His expert service as the Band’s Audio Engineer was highlighted, as was the four months he spent performing double duty as both audio and sound engineer. MUC Holtorff displayed dedication to craft in hundreds of extra man hours spent learning and using new recording software.
MUC Steven Petersen received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for spending 300 hours filing taxes for low-income community members as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program operated by the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA). MUC Petersen prepared 285 tax returns over seven years, which refunded approximately $650,000 to local residents.