By Kim McDarison 

Area residents attending the second in a musical series called “Savory Sounds” were treated to a performance by the 132 Army Band Wisconsin Army National Guard. 

The band performed in Whitewater late last month. 

Savory Sounds is a summertime concert series hosted by the Whitewater Arts Alliance, Whitewater. 

The series typically invites concert-goers to assemble on the lawn in front of the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center and seeks to pair a musical performance with an onsite lunch opportunity provided by an area restaurant. 

On Thursday, June 29, organizers moved the concert indoors in response to poor air quality in the Whitewater area attributed to smoke coming from timber fires burning in Canada. 

The hour-long concert was instead held at the First United Methodist Church, Whitewater. 

Concert attendees were invited into the church’s sanctuary to listen to the performance, with lunch opportunities provided by La Preferida. Lunch was made available in the church’s fellowship hall. 

Under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Brad Anderson and enlisted band leader 1st Sgt. Kyle Coppinger, some 30 band members performed for an audience of approximately 70 people. 

In advance of the performance, Anderson said band members participating in the Savory Sounds performance were from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. 

Before the full band played, a quintet, called “The Guardian Winds,” composed of members of the 132 Army Band Wisconsin Army National Guard, performed. Among its members was Coppinger, who told concert-goers that he was a 1997 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

During the performance, Sgt. 1st Class Lauren Tredinnick addressed the audience, offering information about each branch of the U.S. military and introducing its official song. Tredinnick also played the saxophone. 

After the quintet played several songs, the full band was seated. The band opened with a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was performed with an accompanying performance given by vocal soloist Sgt. Vicky Wilda. 

Within her introductions, Tredinnick noted that the U.S. Army National Guard personnel train fewer than 40 days each year, and yet remain “ever-ready to respond to the needs of our state and nation.” 

A goal of all U.S. Army bands, she said, “is to instill in our soldiers the will to fight and win, foster the support of our citizens, and promote our national  interests at home and abroad.”  

The band next presented a tribute to all veterans by playing the official song for each service branch. Veterans and service members were asked to rise during the playing of their service song. 

Introducing the U.S. Army’s service song, “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” Tredinnick said the Army is the “senior branch of the armed forces,” noting that the branch was established on June 14, 1775, and known at the time as the “Continental Army.” Today, she said, the Army has 1.1 million personnel members actively serving. 

Also formed in 1775, Tredinnick said the U.S. Marine Corps “serves as an expeditionary force, responsible for providing our protection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy. The Marine Corps’ Latin motto, semper fidelis, means “always faithful.” 

Marines have served America for more than two centuries, she said. 

Following her introduction, the band played the “Marines’ Hymn.” 

Tredinnick next offered information about the United States Navy, noting that it “preserves and protects our national interests at sea, patrolling the skies above and depths below, making it an active player in U.S. foreign and defense policy. The U.S. Navy played a central role in the defeat of Japan in World War II, and today it is larger than the next 13 navies combined. since its inception in 1794, the Navy has forged a legacy of service to the nation both in peacetime and in war.” 

After she spoke, the band played “Anchors Aweigh.” 

Tredinnick told those in attendance that the U.S. Air Force, with roots dating to 1907, was established in 1947. 

“Today’s Air Force is the largest, most capable and most technologically advanced air force in the world,” she said. 

The band played “Wild Blue Yonder.” 

Said Tredinnick: “The Space Force was created as a new branch of the United States Armed Forces on Dec. 20, 2019. The Space Force protects U.S. interests in space, maintains its technological advantage, and it develops new technology to enhance space capabilities and protect against potential threats.”  

The band played “Semper Supra.” The song’s Latin title means “always above.” 

Sharing information about the U.S. Coast Guard, Tredinnick said the military branch, which today functions within the Department of Homeland Security, was founded in 1790, and is responsible for “enforcing domestic and international maritime law. The motto of the coast guard is semper paratus, which means “always ready.” 

As a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, the coast guard is responsible for enforcing domestic and international maritime law. The motto of the coast guard is Semper Paratus, which means “always ready.” 

The band played “Semper Paratus.” 

Among other selections, the band played Wisconsin’s state song: “On, Wisconsin.” 

Upcoming concerts within the Savory Sounds series include: 

• July 13, “Cole and Company,” described within alliance literature as “classic jazz music,” featuring romantic songs. The band is paired with food vendor Casual Joes BBQ.

• July 20, “Tapestry,” described by the alliance as a five-piece acoustic string band with vocals, the music will be paired with food vendor Jersey Mikes. 

• July 27, “Cream City Brass Band,” described by the alliance as “fun for the whole family,” featuring “high energy, modern, New Orleans-style” music. The band is paired with food vendor Rocky Rococo. 

Performances will be held at the Birge Fountain, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

Photos from the 132 Army Band Wisconsin Army National Guard concert, along with a video, follow.