Vermont's Own 40th ARMY BAND

A tradition of excellence began in 1907 when the band was organized at Brattleboro as the 1st Infantry Band, later becoming part of the 172nd Infantry, 43rd Division.  During World War II, the band served with the 43rd Division in the South Pacific.  After the war, it was briefly reorganized as the 43rd Division Band before coming by its present title in March 1947 at Rutland.

The band has been stationed at various locations throughout Vermont; Rutland (1947-1954), Proctor (1954-1964), and Burlington (1964-1990).  Currently, the band enjoys its home station in their facilities in the Green Mountain Armory at Camp Johnson in Colchester.

The band occasionally ventures beyond Vermont’s borders for special training and performance missions.  In 1979 and 1985, the unit performed at the request of Vermont’s Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C., entertaining visitors on the steps of the Capitol and the Ellipse in front of the White House.

In May 1990, the band was invited to play at the International Alpini Reunion Festival in Verona, Italy.  As the only band representing the United States, The 40th Army Band led the festival parade before an audience of over one million spectators.  The President of Italy and many government officials were present at the reviewing stand as the band thrilled the crowd with “National Emblem”.

The prestigious Association of Concert Bands held its 1994 convention in Burlington, and The 40th Army Band was selected by audition to perform in as the featured evening concert for this event.

The band journeyed south to Fort Clayton, Panama in 1995 and to Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 2005 where it replaced active Army bands each time for two weeks. In the summer of 2010, The 40th Army Band will once again venture beyond the borders of Vermont, to Ft McPherson, Georgia to back-fill for the Army Ground Forces Band.

The band’s members pursue varied civilian occupations including careers in the fields of technology, law, insurance, education and governmental public service.  Nearly half of the members have attained a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in music.

In addition to the accolades the band has received for its music, it has also earned several state and national military awards for outstanding rifle marksmanship and overall military performance.  With the Eisenhower Trophy, The Pershing Award, and the Adjutant General’s Match Trophy on hand, the unit can certainly live up to its nickname, “The 40th Army Shootin’ Tootin’ Band”.

In 2007, the band celebrated its 60th anniversary year with a special 4th of July concert featuring alumni and current members. In the past two years alone, The 40th Army Band has traveled the state to complete over 100 public performances and over 40 troop support ceremonies.  The band, “Vermont’s Own”, has treated Vermonters to parades, concerts, jazz, school workshops and military ceremonies from Bennington to Grand Isle.  The band’s buglers have performed “Taps” for over 100 military funerals and memorial services.

Mr. Myers and the band are proud to represent the Vermont National Guard and hope you will enjoy their performances.