1st Cavalry Division band ensembles to perform free concert at Tarleton State next week. (And you’re invited.)

TSU MEDIA Relations

Special to Beneath the Surface News

Tarleton State University will host the 1st Cavalry Division 1st Team Woodwind Quartet and the Legends Brass Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center in Stephenville.

Admission is free.

Combining a rich tradition with modern production values, the 1st Cavalry Division Band provides a full spectrum of musical support to the 1st Cavalry Division, III Armored Corps, Fort Cavazos and the Central Texas community. 

The band was organized at Camp Verde, Texas, in 1855 and participated in the war against the Comanche.

Redesignated in 1856, the band campaigned in the Civil War and was present at Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Appomattox.

The unit disbanded in 1866 and reorganized at Camp Sedgwick in Washington, D.C., in 1869. The band participated in the Indian Wars against the Sioux, Cheyenne, Utes and Apache, as well as General Pershing’s expeditionary force into Mexico.

The band evolved into its modern form in 1945. It was formed from the battle-scarred remains of three regimental bands: the 5th Cavalry Regimental Band, the 7th Cavalry Regimental Band and the 1st Cavalry Division Band. 

Stationed in Japan, this new band was present from World War II through the Korean War.

Serving at several different posts, the band enhanced morale and promoted American popular music to both U.S. troops and the Japanese during post-war duties.

Since WWII, the “First Team Band” has participated in the war efforts in Korea and Vietnam, as well as operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Joint Forge in Bosnia.

The band also deployed with the division to Germany for Reforger ’83 and Reforger ’87.

The 1st Cavalry Division Band deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

It also deployed three times to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.