The Price City Culture Connection is a free concert series that takes place every Thursday evening during the summer months as a means to bring the community together and this Thursday’s concert will feature the Utah National Guard’s 23rd Army Band.

“So the band has been around for about 95 years and so it’s a long standing institution here in the State of Utah, we are the titled the Governor own and so we have many functions that we perform from playing for the inaugurations, military ceremonies, parade and then public concerts like the one we have this Thursday,” said Staff Sergeant Bryce E. Bird. The group has a history as an internationally distinguished military band.

The 23rd Army Band is more than just a group of musicians, but also a highly trained group of U.S. Army Soldiers that maintains a readiness with a full training schedule including an annual weapons qualification, a semi-annual Physical Training test, basic soldier training, combat readiness, and many other skills required as a Soldier and a member of the Utah National Guard.

Staff Sergeant Bird explains the main purpose of the band, “Build patriotism, to support the military functions, to be visible members of the community as performing organization here in the State of Utah and provide great music and great entertainment.” The group consists of a concert band, ceremonial marching band, brass quintet, stage band, rock band, jazz combo, woodwind quintet, buglers, and singers.

The band is staffed by some of the state’s finest musicians. During the day, these citizen soldiers work as accountants, engineers, emergency responders, music producers, doctors, teachers, mothers, and many more. Many also perform in other musical organizations around the state. When they come together, their musical talent is considerable

Next week’s Culture Connection performance on July 25 will be the Opening Ceremony of Price City’s International Days with a performance entitled An American Tribute which will feature performances by some local singers.