By Ray Kozakewicz, Fort Lee Public Affairs

FORT LEE, Va. – Community members are invited to the 392nd Army Band Farewell Concert featuring returning alumni and special guests June 18, 3 p.m., at the Lee Theater.

The 392nd traces its history to the late 1940s. The band will be deactivated and downsized to about a dozen Soldiers this summer as part of the Army’s reshaping efforts to meet future operational mission demands.

“The first half of the concert will feature spotlight performances and fun pieces by our current 30-member formation,” said Warrant Officer Kevin L. Pick, the band’s director. “For the second half, about 40 band alumni – some from the 40s and 50s – will join the current musicians on stage. The combined band will perform standard Army tunes. We anticipate having lots of fun and a great show of musicianship.”

Pick said installation leaders are expected to make remarks during the concert. The performance will run about an hour-and-a-half.

Several past band commanders have been invited and at least one is expected to attend, Pick said. He will be selecting the music to be performed.

“We have sent music to our alumni who have confirmed they will attend,” he said. “A two-hour rehearsal is set for that morning for the approximately 70-member combined band. We want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

He said, “During the 392nd portion of the concert, we will feature a work “Declaration 1776” originally commissioned by one of our former commanders.

“We also will showcase a work by Spc. David Dormeus, one of our young Soldiers, who has created a piece called ‘American Anthem.’ He is a talented arranger and has tailored the work for the 392nd to perform.”

Pick said the band members have been gathering old photos and awards, and many will be displayed at the concert. Photos also will be posted to the band’s Facebook page.

The concert is free and open to the public and tickets are not required. Fort Lee visitors who don’t have a DOD-issued identification card or post pass will be required to complete a background check to access the post. For more information about this requirement, visit www.lee.army.mil/pmo/access.aspx. The visitor control center at the Sisisky gate issues passes on weekends.

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