"The Beacon" Summer 2019 Edition
Our periodic mailing, available here in PDF format:
Last September, MU1 Ryan Foley won a highly competitive audition against a field of more than forty flutists from across the country to earn the position of co-principal flute in the Coast Guard Band. Before enlisting in the Coast Guard in March of 2019, MU1 Foley received degrees in flute performance from Brigham Young University and The University of Texas at Austin. Coast Guard Band Newsletter The Beacon sat down with Ryan to catch up with him during his first few months on the job:
BEACON: Where are you from originally and what were you doing just prior to joining the Coast Guard Band?
MU1 Foley: I'm originally from Excelsior Springs, MO, a suburb of Kansas City. Prior to joining the band I had just started an Advanced Musical Studies Certificate at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
BEACON: What has been your initial impression of life in the Coast Guard Band?
RF: It has been such an exciting and amazing opportunity to be a part of the US Coast Guard Band. It's incredibly rewarding to come to work and make music with world-class musicians on a daily basis.
BEACON: What was your Coast Guard Band audition experience like?
RF: The Coast Guard Band audition was the most organized and comfortable audition that I have taken. Everything was well planned and efficient. It was one of the first auditions I've taken where I actually enjoyed the audition! Everyone's friendly and welcoming demeanor helped me to grow in confidence throughout the three rounds.
BEACON: What do you like to do when you’re not playing the flute?
RF: When I'm not playing the flute I love all things food related! I spend a lot of time baking, cooking, watching cooking shows, and trying out restaurants with my wife. I also love to watch and play soccer and spend time outdoors with our dog Mushu.
Retiring after 20 years of devoted service, MUCS Heather Doughty was recognized with a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement playing second and fourth horn in the United States Coast Guard Band. Additionally, she proficiently managed the Band’s demanding schedule, with 250 performances before 300,000 people nationwide. Her exceptional service also included membership in the Coast Guard Brass Quintet, with 70 engagements before 24 million live and television viewers.
MU1 Robert Langslet was honored with a Coast Guard Commendation Medal just prior to separating the Band after seven years of service. The award notes his distinguished versatility, virtuosity, and leadership as a pianist, composer, arranger, producer, music director, percussionist, recording producer, and piano tuner.
MUCS Richard Denton was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for outstanding service as the group leader and tubist of the United States Coast Guard Brass Quintet, in which he was the subject matter expert for the performative aspects of military ceremonies. He led the group in travels that covered over 50,000 miles to perform` 70 engagements before 180,000 live and 24 million television viewers.
Noted for his superior performance of duty as principal horn and as soloist, MUCS Brian Nichols received the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for additional work organizing concerts with world-class guest soloists and for managing the Band’s busy finance and supply office.
Percussionist MUC Steven Petersen was recognized with the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for creating a user-friendly database of the 7,500 musical selections in the Band’s music library collection, among other achievements.
Newly minted as the Band’s principal trombonist, MU1 Karna Millen’s distinctive service was acknowledged with the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, which noted her distinguished leadership in the United States Coast Guard Brass Quintet.
In addition to work as a member of the percussion section of the Band, MU1 Nathan Lassell’s service also includes 11 solo performances and membership in the Dixieland Jazz Band, the Guardians Big Band, and the Jazz Combo. He was recognized with the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
Trumpeter MU1 Christopher Lane was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for service as the Band’s social media assistant and video production manager, a position he initiated and developed. Additional service in the United States Coast Guard Brass Quintet reached 180,000 live and 24 million audience members worldwide.