Navy will bring music to church

The U.S. Navy Concert Band will make waves Monday with a performance at an Evans church.

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The 60-member group will take the stage at West Acres Baptist Church's sanctuary at 555 Gibbs Road.

Bringing the concert to the county is a joint effort by the Columbia County Orchestra Association, the Augusta Christian Schools' Band and West Acres Instrumental Music Ministry.

"I knew not only that they do tours periodically throughout the U.S., but I also knew that all of the service bands are very good, among some of the best musicians in the world," said Rob Nordan, the music director of the Columbia County Orchestra Association.

This is the second opportunity in March for residents to hear a Navy Band group perform in the county. Earlier this month, the Sea Chanters sang for guests at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center.

During Monday's 90-minute concert, the band will perform a range of musical selections, including classical orchestral works, current popular favorites, traditional marches and patriotic fares.

"Some of the things we do are pop medleys or classical music," said Jon Agazzi, tour manager and clarinet player in the concert band. "We have a couple of recently composed pieces, so it's really varied."

Having grown up near Washington, D.C., Nordan said he's familiar with watching each military band perform.

As Augusta Christian's band director, he also said the concert gives students an opportunity to hear great musicians play.

During the Washington Post March , 10 area high school students will join the band on stage to perform.

"It's great for both groups because the students get to see what it's like playing with a professional organization, and for us, it's really neat to include students because that's our future," Agazzi said.

The sanctuary seats 1,600 people and about 500 tickets remain, Nordan said.

Admission is free, but tickets are needed to ensure a seat inside the church.

"If you don't have a ticket, then you'll take a chance of not being able to get a very good seat or maybe not getting a seat all," Nordan said.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for those with tickets and 6:40 p.m. for people without tickets.

Tickets can be picked up at West Acres between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Navy's concert band has performed both nationally and internationally. For more than 80 years, the group has appeared at national dedications and memorial services in addition to participating in 21 presidential inaugurals.

The band's tour began March 2, with the group performing 24 concerts in 26 days throughout the Southeast.

"It's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing," Nordan said.

"It doesn't happen very often."