Downrange scores hit with audience

Photos by Marny Malin-Downrange , the U.S. Army band, performed at Fort Hunt Sunday evening. The band plays a variety and range of music genres and includes performers and musicians from the area.

The Army Band ensemble, Downrange, filled the air with music at Fort Hunt Park Sunday night and landed a direct hit with the audience as they delivered pop, rock, R&B, country and patriotic tunes with as much energy as the lightning that lit up the summer sky.

The band is part of Pershing's Own and originated as a chorale group in 1975, evolving into a showcase for popular and patriotic music, along with performances that inspire. Downrange lunged into their set with the first song, "Barracuda" from Heart, and then played, among others, "Crying" from Aerosmith, "Love Song" by Mary Bareilles and an original song. The ensemble of bassists, guitarists, a pianist, keyboard player, drummer and several multi-talented vocalists filled the pavilion with music from the past and present.

Sgt. Maj. Mercy Diez is the band's leader and long- time member who stole the show with her rendition of Janis Joplin's, "Piece of my Heart" near the end of the rain-shortened show. It was her first time performing at Fort Hunt outside under the roof of the pavilion.

The ensemble spends most of the time with larger productions and performances in the Twilight Tattoo, Spirit of America, Christmas Show at the DAR Constitution Hall, and concerts for troops in Iraq.

"This showcases the individual talents and it's very satisfying to perform and see the audience's appreciation," Diez said. "The appearances that mean the most to us are the ones we do accompanying the Sergeant Major of the Army for our troops in Iraq. Those are really much more personal and they touch us on deep, emotional levels."

More than 100 people filled the picnic benches and tables in a summertime concert tradition, which ended with the patriotic piece "American Soldier" just as the skies opened up pouring rain. But, the audience's spirits were not dampened as they were on their feet at the end, applauding the efforts of the Soldiers on stage.
The concert series returned to Fort Hunt Park last year. Two more concerts are Sunday, featuring folk music; and July 27, with big band swing. For more information on U.S. Army Band concerts visit us.armyband.com.