Several articles in the Washington Post about the legitimacy and necessity of military bands...
Bravo, Felix. Excellent points.
Since JTJ has admitted his left-leaning stance, and respecting the non-partisan nature of the board, I shall refrain from admitting my conservative bent.
That said, every once in awhile, some moonbat comes up and attacks military bands. The charges involve money, of course, enormous scads of money in comparison to freezers full of fish sperm, but also the fact that it's enormously difficult to quantify the impact and effect that military bands have on the troops in the field and the taxpayers at home.
I spent an entire career as an Army musician and I dare say that the reason that military band impact on audiences around the world is difficult to quantify is because it's incalculable.
In a day and age where the big guns, big ships, and big weapons platforms command most of the big bucks, it's easy to look at an intangible like music and scoff at its worth.
I'm wondering if Mr. Pincus ever rucked up in his long, illustrious career. Something tells me he wouldn't know a rucksack from a golf bag.
U.S. Army, Retired (built mid-1950s)
Adams E2 Euph (built 2017)
Boosey & Co. Imperial Euph (built 1941)
Edwards B454 Bass Trombone (built 2012)
Boosey & Hawkes Imperial Eb tuba (built 1958)
Kanstul 33-T lBBb tuba (built 2010)