For the last 50 years the U.S. Army Chorus, a component of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” has been America’s vocal ambassador to the world — from singing for private dinners with foreign high-ranking military officials, to state dinners at the White House, and community concerts in churches and concert halls across the country.
The U.S. Army Chorus was founded with this mission in mind and has provided our nation’s leaders with a powerful asset in dealing with their foreign counterparts through the one language we all understand — music. Music has the power to celebrate great joy and to comfort in times of great loss. It can bridge gaps in philosophies, cultures and political leanings.
In 1946 Army Band commander LTC Hugh Curry and CPT Samuel R. Loboda formed the U.S. Army Band Chorus — a volunteer group of “Pershing’s Own” instrumentalists who could sing — to fulfill Curry’s wish for “a band with plenty of showmanship that not only plays well, but also sings well.” The demand for the group was so great that designated singers needed to be selected to perform the missions for which The Army Band Chorus had been tasked. So, on Aug. 14, 1956, Secretary of the Army Wilbur Brucker established the U.S. Army Chorus with 40 singers, plus pianists.
Today, the authorized size of the U.S. Army Chorus is 28 singers and two pianists, and the group’s performing schedule has never been busier. One of eight official elements of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the Army Chorus’ current roster is no longer made up of volunteer bandsmen who could carry a tune.
The chorus singers and pianists are selected by a rigorous audition process, and represent many of our nation’s finest music schools and conservatories. Once selected for the group, all members of the Army Chorus must successfully complete Basic Combat Training. Most members hold graduate degrees in music, and four of the current men of the chorus, including both pianists, have doctorates.
Since its inception, the U.S. Army Chorus has established and maintained a reputation of excellence in the performance of male choral music. Beyond traditional military music and patriotic standards, the ensemble’s repertoire covers a broad spectrum of such musical styles as spirituals, Broadway, folk and classical.
The U.S. Army Chorus is among the few professional male choruses in the world, and is the only remaining one in the military service bands of the United States.
“We constantly hear from the Army’s senior leaders about how important our music performances are to the morale of our Soldiers and the public alike,” said SGM Robert Petillo, a tenor in the chorus since 1986. “It has been my privilege to entertain the battlefield forces — before they left for Iraq — and to work with our personnel who entertained the troops in today’s military theater.”
Soloists from the chorus have entertained troops overseas alongside USO performers during operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and during current U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Army Chorus entertains frequently at military ceremonies and events of state at the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon and in the quarters of senior military leaders — notably for the visits of overseas officials. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Richard Myers has called the Army Chorus “a strategic asset” in building international understanding.
The Chorus has sung in over 26 foreign languages and can do so on short notice.
This unique group of singing Soldiers has made hundreds of appearances at the White House and has performed for every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Missions for the commander-in-chief have been some of the most memorable moments for many members of the group — both retired and active duty.
The Army Chorus has performed at the library dedications of presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush; at the state funeral of President Lyndon Johnson; and at the internment service for Reagan.
Army Chorus alumnus SGM Mike Malovic (Ret.) recounted one of the many evening events performed for then-Vice President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush at the vice president’s residence. “After dinner, when it was time for The Army Chorus to perform, the din of discussion was so loud that Mrs. Bush got up from her seat and asked the crowd to quiet down so that they could hear The Army Chorus sing.”
