Academy Band to present American classics under the stars

West Point — The United States Military Academy Concert Band, under the direction of Lt. Col. Timothy Holtan, will present a free public concert of classic American music at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, at the Trophy Point Amphitheatre. Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist for the New York Philharmonic, will join the band to perform Joseph Turrin’s “Illuminations,” for solo trombone and band. The concert will also include the music of Aaron Copland, Irving Berlin, John Philip Sousa and John Williams. Joseph Alessi, who began musical studies as a high school student with his father, Joseph Alessi, Sr., was also a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony before continuing his musical training at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia Orchestra for four seasons, and principal trombone of L’Orchestre symphonique de Montreal for one season. He was appointed principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. In addition, he has performed as guest principal trombonist with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, led by Pierre Boulez. Allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at 938-2617 or log on to www.usma.edu/band/.