New Mexico National Guard’s 44th Army Band. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Anna Doo

COMMUNITY News:

The New Mexico Army National Guard’s 44th Army Band led and conducted by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wendy Reyes and 1st Sgt. Ralph Harris, will perform in Los Alamos at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 at Ashley Pond Park.

The 44th Army Band is culminating its northern New Mexico summer tour of free concerts this week with performances in Los Alamos, Santa Rosa and Albuquerque.

The greater ensemble is made up of multiple musical support teams, which are smaller musical groups or ensembles. “Breaking Brass” is a brass band specializing in a sound described as high energy rock jazz by Harris. “Zia Winds” is a refined and fun woodwind ensemble. “Saxtastics” music is touted as exciting and eclectic. “El Guitero, Piper Extraordinaire” is the one and only music of the resident band bagpiper. “Mariachi Nuevo Mexico” is the first Armed Forces mariachi group featuring regional music reflecting New Mexico’s rich Mexican heritage and influence replete with traditional mariachi instrumentation.

Musical concert performances during the summer 2014 tour reflect the theme of an “American Journey.” Spectators in Grants, Farmington, Taos, Tucumcari and Raton have already enjoyed evenings filled with wonderful musical by the 44th Army Band.