04-04-2025
10th Mountain Division Band teaches students through music
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (WWTI) – The 10th Mountain Division band gave students a musical education as part of a recent event.
Members of the 10th Mountain Division Band took center stage Friday, March 28 in front of an audience of Fort Drum home school students and community members in celebration of Music in Our School Month.
The 10th Mountain Division Band: serving with music and honor
During the performance, each musician spoke about their instrument and demonstrated the sounds it makes. They also talked about places they visited or deployed to, before the group played music inspired by those stories. Event attendees also heard the story of 'Ferdinand the Bull,' accompanied by music from Bizet's opera 'Carmen.'
This is an awesome way for us to connect with the community and represent the Army to young people. It's always fun to play for kids.
Sgt. 1st Class Kirby Oliver
Oliver said she was the same age as some of the audience members when she discovered her passion for music. She first played the trumpet in fourth grade. However, switched to the French horn – her favorite instrument – the next year. Outside of school, she played with local youth orchestras where she learned to perform at a high level.
Students met with the band members after the performance to learn more about their profession and their love of playing music.
Spc. Catherine Minnier started playing cello at first, but then picked up the clarinet in the fourth grade. Minnier said she enjoys talking about music with students and having a chance to share her experience going from student to soldier.
'This is particularly important for me because I was never the best at clarinet as I was going through school,' Minnier said. 'So, I'm so happy to be able to share my love and joy of music to students who are younger or closer to my age. It goes to show that even if you aren't the best when you start, you can still work really hard and have a great career.'
Jessica Morales attended the performance with her son and daughter. She said music is part of her children's education at home, where they have a piano and other things for them to play. It also helps that her husband is a percussionist in the 10th Mountain Division Band.
Music in Our Schools began in 1973 as a statewide advocacy day in New York. Since then, it has grown across the U.S., and it is recognized by the Department of Defense Education administration.
The 10th Mountain Division Band supported five Music in Our Schools performances in March. The band is preparing for several more outreach events during Month of the Military Child later this month.
(Courtesy of Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)
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