Army Field Band Leads Inaugural Parade
By Gary Sheftick and Tammy Jarrett
Army News Service
January 21, 2005
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Field Band led the first division of the Inaugural Parade Jan. 20, directly following the presidential escort.
Field band members said they have been practicing almost two months for their prestigious role in the parade. The musical ambassadors of the Army travel around the nation performing at concerts, but said they seldom have an opportunity to march.
"We're on the road about 100 days a year," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Gabrysh. She said performing in towns across America often fills her with "an overwhelming feeling of pride…just to see the reactions on the people's faces."
Gabrysh plays the oboe in concerts and the piccolo when marching. Her first event with the Field Band was the farewell ceremony for President Bill Clinton exactly four years ago.
This Inaugural Parade was the first performance ever with the band for Spc. Katayoon Hodjati who joined only a month ago. She said before the event that just a "bit of butterflies" accompanied her preparation for being part of the parade's lead element.
The march was one of the highlights of a 30-year career for Sgt. Maj. Robert Barnett of the Field Band and Soldier's Chorus NCO in charge. "Just to catch a glimpse of the president, that will be an exciting moment," he said.
Another Soldier's father said he hoped to catch a glimpse of her at the front of the parade. Sgt. 1st Class Sarah Anderson's father was watching the parade on television from Arlington Heights, Ill.
Anderson doubles as the band's music librarian when not playing the trumpet, acquiring new music and handing it out to the band's rank and file.
"I can't really tell my day, hey, I filled some music today – that's not very exciting. But I can tell him, hey, I'm going to be in the Inaugural Parade. That's something he can tell his friends and he loves that.
"It's a huge honor, and I'm sure they are all watching."
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