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September performances at National Harbor

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Mandi Harper
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C. --  Have you been looking for an excuse to visit National Harbor? Now you have one! Several ensembles from The United States Air Force Band will be featured September 12-14. Presenting 22- and 60-minute programs, each concert will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

National Harbor is located on the shores of the Potomac River in Maryland, just south of Washington, D.C. It boasts a wide variety of shopping, dining, live performances, water activities, a carousel, and a brand new observation wheel! The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine bands have all been showcased as part of the Military Concert Series. To close out the summer, National Harbor is proud to present the Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Concert Series.

Francis Scott Key penned the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" on Sept. 14, 1814. Set to the 18th century popular tune "To Anacreon in Heaven," this poem would become our national anthem thanks to a political cartoon by Robert L. Ripley of "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" which pointed out that we had no anthem. Outraged Americans wrote five million letters to Congress demanding they proclaim a national anthem. And so, on March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed an act declaring the "Star-Spangled Banner" as our official national anthem.

To kick off this historical weekend, the Airmen of Note will present a full-length program on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. One of the Band's small ensembles, Celtic Aire, is excited to play tunes from their recently released album, "As I Roved Out," on Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. (download it for free here: http://www.usafband.af.mil/recordings/catalog/asirovedout.asp). The Airmen of Note will once again be featured that evening (Sept. 13) at 7 p.m. for another swingin' show. Additionally, the Note will feature a jazz sextet on Sunday afternoon at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. That night, at 5 p.m., the Concert Band and a quartet from the Singing Sergeants will round out the celebration with a "Guys and Dolls" medley, "God Bless the USA," and much more! (see full schedule below)

For more information about The United States Air Force Band, or to view concert details, please visit www.usafband.af.mil.

September 12-14 Concert Schedule
Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., featuring the Airmen of Note
Saturday, Sept. 13, 22-minute shows at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m., featuring Celtic Aire
Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m., featuring the Airmen of Note
Sunday, Sept. 14, 22-minute shows at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m., featuring the Airmen of Note Sextet
Sunday, Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. featuring the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Quartet

*Outdoor concerts are subject to weather cancellation. Check our home page for up-to-the-minute cancellation information.