By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2023) — Fort Leonard Wood’s 399th Army Band is rehearsing and preparing for next week’s live holiday performance.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jared DeLaney, the band’s commander and bandmaster, said doors will open at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Nutter Field House. The holiday concert is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and last about an hour.
“This year, the 399th Army Band will feature its many music teams, such as our Rough Riders Rock Band, the Route 66 Brass Band, the Double Time Jazz Combo, and our quintets, the Missouri Brass and Ozark Winds,” he said.
Sgt. Nicholas Johnson, a percussionist and operations NCO with the 399th, said the diverse genres make a different, but equally memorable and recognizable holiday music event.
“Music, in all its genres, presents opportunities for connection. With styles ranging from jazz to rock, to classic holiday music, we hope to provide something for everyone in this performance,” Johnson said.
As for DeLaney, he thinks the best part about the holiday performances are, “the people.”
“Music is a powerful medium that tells a story, touches the soul, and supports our resiliency. Watching the audience having this realization is exhilarating and a testament to the value and contribution of the 399th and all Army bands,” DeLaney said.
The band performed at the tree-lighting ceremony on the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza and hosted a holiday concert at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, earlier this week.
“The holiday season presents many opportunities for the 399th Army Band to care for and inspire Fort Leonard Wood’s service members, civilians and families. The surrounding communities are our partners, and this concert is one of the many ways the U.S. Army and Fort Leonard Wood contributes to the community, quality of life, well-being and resilience of the people,” DeLaney said. “We hope to inspire all to enjoy the season.”
The concert is open to the public and will be live streamed on Fort Leonard Wood’s Facebook page. For installation access information, visit the Fort Leonard Wood website.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.