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Concert Band and Brass Quintet to perform for White House public event

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Marc Dinitz
Washington, D.C. --  On Sunday, April 26, visitors to the White House grounds will be able to "tiptoe through the tulips" while listening to the soothing sounds of the Concert Band and a brass quintet from the Ceremonial Brass. From approximately 10 a.m. to noon, the two groups will be performing marches and patriotic music on the South Lawn while guests tour the grounds.

White House garden tours have been a tradition since 1972, when Pat Nixon first opened the White House gardens to the public. Two weekends each year, visitors can view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden and the South Lawn. The White House Vegetable Garden, which is the first garden of its kind on the White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden, will also be accessible to guests.

Throughout the years, The U.S. Air Force Band has supported this event with various ensembles, including the Ceremonial Brass and Celtic Aire. This is the first year that the Concert Band will play a role in the garden tour. Usually, the Concert Band is away on its Spring Tour during this time period. However, since their tour was early this year, the group was available to lend support to this annual event.

"It will be a treat to perform on the White House grounds, so this is a performance I am looking forward to," says clarinetist Kristin Bowers. "The garden tours are a popular event here in D.C., and it will be special to play a role in the day and help make the tour more memorable for the visitors."

While this event is open to the public, tickets are required for all attendees. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets, northwest beginning at 9 a.m., on the day of the event. Tickets are limited and are first come, first served. For more information about tickets go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/17/white-house-announces-2015-spring-garden-tours.