Academy Band will play Sunday evenings this summer

West Point — It was documented as early as 1817 that crowded ships from New York to Poughkeepsie would drop an anchor off at West Point to give their passengers an opportunity to listen to Richard Willis and his band. What band are they referring to? It is the United States Military Academy Band, which has given outdoor summer concerts for the length of its 190-year designation. Those interested in witnessing this tradition, starting on June 10, at West Point’s Trophy Point Amphitheatre, can hear a free concert open to the public every Sunday until Labor Day weekend. Listeners enjoy light classics, opera overtures, John Philip Sousa marches, Broadway hits and movie soundtracks of the concert band, as well as the Big Band standards given by the Jazz Knights. Bring a picnic and enjoy the live music. For more information, call the U.S. Military Academy Band Concert Hotline at 845-938-2617 or visit us at www.usma.edu/band All upcoming concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted): June 10 - Concert Band Celebrations June 17 - Jazz Knights, Hello and Goodbye 2June 24 - Hellcats, Jazz Knights and Concert Band Alumni Showcase (6:30 p.m.) July 1 Concert Band, Great American Classics July 7 (Sat.) - Concert Band, Independence Day Concert (8 p.m.) (Rain date on July 8) July 15 - Concert Band, A Night at the Movies July 22 - Concert Band Celebrating West Point with The Alumni of the Cadet Glee Club July 29 - Jazz Knights, Guest Saxophonist Chris Valdala August 5 - Jazz Knights, Guest Bassist Lynn Seaton August 12 - Concert Band, Down Memory Lane with the Andrew Sisters August 19 - Concert Band, Dancing Under the Stars August 26 - Jazz Knights, Guest Trombonist Steve Wiest Sept. 1 (Sat.) - Jazz Knights, Concert Band, Fireworks and Cannon 1812 Overture Concert (6 p.m.) (Rain date on Sept. 2)