NY Army National Guard band plays free concert in Port Washington on Thursday, August 4

The 42nd Infantry Division "Rainbow" Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the Sousa Bandshell in Sunset Park

Port Washington, New York (07/22/2022) — The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division "Rainbow" Band will present a free concert at the Sousa Bandshell in Sunset Park on Main Street in Port Washington on Thursday, August 4 at 7 p.m.

The 36-member band, led by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan Wagner, will present a program of patriotic music, and tunes from the movies and Broadway. The program will feature a brass quintet, a rock performance and Latin jazz style music as well.

The band is a component of the New York National Guard 's 42nd Infantry Division.

The division earned the nickname "The Rainbow Division" during World War I when it included National Guard units from many states. It was said to 'reach across the country like a rainbow."

Military bands traditionally played music to boost the spirits of Soldiers, and to inspire them and keep them in step as they headed into battle.

retrieving the wounded from the battlefield.

When the 42nd Division Band deployed to Iraq with the 42nd Infantry Division in 2005, band members played concerts and performed morale shows for Soldiers and Iraqi leaders, and also provided security for the Division Main Operations Center.

The band will also perform at the Polo Grounds on Moores Lane in Greenport on August 5 at 7 p.m., and at the Montauk Point Lighthouse on August 6 at 2 p.m.

Traditionally, the bands Citizen Soldiers play a number of performances each summer during their annual training.

These will be their first touring performances since 2019. The COVID -19 pandemic forced a halt to performances in 2020 and 2021.

The band reaches out to local New York State communities to offer free performances to the public.

Army National Guard band members, like other Army band members, attend basic training and learn all the skills required of any Soldier, ranging from marksmanship to land navigation.

To enlist in an Army band, for the National Guard, Army Reserves or active duty, applicants must first audition to ensure they have the necessary skills to perform the band's musical mission.

The 42nd Infantry Division Band is based at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor, New York.

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