By JEFF MILLER
Argus-Champion
NEWPORT — Newport Middle and High School students and staff got a musical treat March 7 before heading home to get ready for a snow day.
The 39th Army Band of the New Hampshire Army National Guard gave an energized performance before the entire student body to end the school day.
“They are really good,” Newport CTE Director Bonnie Akerman said. “I was over on the other side of the gym dancing with the students. It was a lot of fun.”
From such uptempo hits as Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” to Southern Rock staple from Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama,” the 39th Army Band hits its stride and kept it throughout the hour plus concert.
“This was a nice treat for our students,” Newport Middle and High School Principal Shannon Martin said. “It was a good opportunity for our students to see how hard work pays off.”
Newport Middle and High School Band teacher Jess Kilpatrick was instrumental in bringing the 39th Army Band to the Sunshine Town for the performance.
While in college, Kilpatrick joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard Band in 2014. When she came to teach in New Hampshire she transferred to the 39th Army Band.
“Every March the 39th Army Band travels to schools to perform as a part of Music in Our Schools Month and Military Music Month,” Kilpatrick said.
“This is part of our mission as an Army band to inspire, educate and entertain. As a part or our mission and being a member of the 39th Army Band, I was able to have a group come out to perform for Newport Middle and High School.”
The 39th Army Band, New Hampshire Army National Guard is 139 years old. The band dates back to 1879 as was activated during the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. It went by different names until 1947 when it became the 39th Army Band New Hampshire Army National Guard.
The band, stationed in Manchester, is made up of musicians from many communities in the Granite State. The members of the 39th Army Band are dedicated soldiers whose high standard of performance is respected and anticipated wherever they perform.
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