The United States Navy Concert Band will be performing at 7 p.m. at C.Y. Stephens in Ames March 30.

Many different Navy concert bands travel throughout the United States and put on performances for audiences that range from small children and families to war veterans.  These concerts are free and open to the public, and are provided to entertain anyone and everyone.

The Navy Band has been performing for almost 90 years around America. They have a few smaller ensemble groups and some larger concert bands. The Navy Bands take requests to perform for public and civic events with the only requirement being that the concerts are completely free.

The Navy Office of Community Outreach [NAVCO] has allowed the Navy to secure relationships with fellow Americans in unique ways. The Navy Bands are just one of these ways. Through music, color guards and drill teams, information about the Navy is spread to a wider audience. People are able to learn what these people have signed up for and why they are performing. This allows for building support from Americans who may not know enough about the United States military.

These bands also allow people to put faces to the broad concept of military. The American ideals of war and even joining the military can be scary, and are sometimes misconstrued. By the band traveling the United States and playing music while teaching audiences about the Navy, Americans are able to make personal connections and put faces to the people who protect and serve our country every single day.

The Navy Band adds a bit of patriotism to each and every piece to give the audience a truly unique set.

According to the United States Navy website, “The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.”

While the Navy Band will not be going into combat at C.Y. Stephens, they will be sharing their patriotic and educational performance as the people of Ames, and central Iowa gather to listen and learn about America’s military, and share in her glory through music.

If you are interested in putting in a request for a performance, please visit the NAVCO website.