Despite the sizzling heat this July 1, 2026 evening, New Jersey residents are steadily pouring in to Holmdel, NJ’s PNC Bank Arts Center to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a concert by “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army,” the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus.
Tonight’s event is the fourth in a series of free 2026 concerts presented by the Garden State Arts Foundation under the direction of VP Ron Gravino and assisted by Cookie Santiago, Karin Souren, and Andy DiPalma.
Before the show begins, NJ native Sgt. First Class Derek Stults talks backstage about his work as a member of the United States Army Field Band. Stults, who grew up in Princeton Junction, started playing percussion as a fifth grade student, loved it, and eventually decided to become a professional musician.
After studying music in college and auditioning for various orchestras, Stults joined the Army Field Band, a touring unit which is based in Washington, DC, but spends most of its time traveling around the country.
“It’s so exciting to be able to get to do this as a career,” explains Stults. “There are veterans all over the country who’ve dedicated their lives to serving on behalf of the American people so one major portion of our mission is to travel around and make sure the public remembers their service and their sacrifice.”
“Also, there are many people around the country who don’t know anyone in the military so we’re their first interaction with the armed forces and we want them to know what we’re doing on their behalf,” adds Stults before concluding, “So there’s a great sense of service and satisfaction to get to honor our veterans and to introduce people to the military — and we also get to make some really great music, as well!”
Garden State Arts Foundation VP Ron Gravino welcomes the crowd inside the PNC Bank Arts Center amphitheater to this evening’s event and thanks the various sponsors of tonight’s concert including LiveNation Entertainment and PNC Bank.
Concertgoers rise as a color guard makes its way onto the stage and Meagan Solomon sings the national anthem.
A former Ms. New Jersey International, Solomon leads Sunflowers for Soldiers, a non-profit organization which sponsors field trips for middle school students and senior citizen groups to the New Jersey State Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial which is located in Holmdel just steps away from the PNC Bank Arts Center.
Gravino introduces the female singing group, American Bombshells, who take the stage and open tonight’s show with a swinging rendition of The Andrews Sisters’ “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” which they sing in smooth three-part harmony backed by a pre-recorded musical track.
Introducing themselves as Sandra, Jessica, and Kristin, the trio moves on to a jazzy version of The Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” before Sandra invites the audience to sing along on a patriotic medley of “America the Beautiful” and “America.”
Following a bouncy interpretation of The Andrews Sisters’ “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” Kristin kicks off a medley of Frank Sinatra songs by crooning, “I’ve Got the World On a String.”
Continuing with such Sinatra staples as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” and “The Way You Look Tonight,” the women dance as they deliver a swinging take on “Come Fly with Me.”
Following “You Make Me Feel So Young,” the trio concludes the Sinatra medley with a sparkling version of “New York, New York” which has concertgoers cheering and applauding.
The singers invite veterans in the crowd to stand during an “Armed Forces Medley” consisting of the official songs of five branches of the service: Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army.
Audience members proudly wave American flags on an upbeat rendition of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Then, Jessica sings with gusto on the rubato intro to the Toby Keith country tune, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
Concertgoers stand and wave their flags on a spirited interpretation of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” before the trio cries, “Yes, there’s a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe/And there’s a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free,” on the Aaron Tippin country rocker, “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Flies.”
To conclude their portion of the show, the Bombshells perform an inspiring rendition of “God Bless America,” after which audience members stand, applaud, and cheer as the women wave goodnight and exit the stage.
Following a short intermission, the 60 members of the United States Army Field Band take the stage along with the 29 singers of the Soldiers’ Chorus before Staff Sgt. Alexus Monroe and Staff Sgt. James Wilson welcome the audience to the second portion of tonight’s program.
The pair introduces Lt. Col. Randy Bartel who conducts the band and choir in a soaring rendition of the cinematic Vangelis composition, “Conquest of Paradise,” as images of American landmarks appear on the screen behind them.
Percussion, woodwind, and brass instruments prance along on a jaunty rendition of Aaron Copland’s Americana piece, “Hoe-Down” from Rodeo.
Capt. Jac’kel R. Smalls conducts the Soldiers’ Chorus on an a cappella rendition of “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain.” Then, Lt. Col. Domingos Robinson conducts the world premiere of the brilliant new Nkjeiru Okoye contemporary classical piece, “Evident Truths,” featuring rapper Staff Sgt. Lamar Riddick.
John Philip Sousa’s march, “The Diplomat,” is up next and is followed by an impressive interpretation of Jaques Ibert’s “Allegro scherzando from Concerto for Flute and Orchestra” which features flute soloist Staff Sgt. Chloe Tordi.
Staff Sgt. Wilson announces, “This next song is in recognition of those who serve alongside their servicemen.” Wilson is accompanied by electric guitar and bass along with a vocal trio as he plays guitar and sings, “Oh, I hope you know, I will carry you home/Whether it’s tonight or fifty-five years down the road,” on the Alex Warren folk-rock tune, “Carry You Home.”
Lt. Col. Robinson leads the band and chorus in performing Julie Giroux’s contemporary classical composition, “Views Panoramic,” as images of sweeping forests, caverns, and underground streams fill the screen.
Staff Sgt. Riddick and Staff Sgt. Verlene Faust join the band and choir for an original rap by Riddick entitled “All American.” They follow up with another Riddick rap creation entitled “Land of the Free” where the inspiring lyrics and performance elicit cheers and applause from the crowd.
Staff Sgt. Chris Sierra is the lead singer on a spicy rendition of Marc Anthony’s salsa tune, “Vivir Me Vida,” which features electrifying background vocals by a quartet of singers from the Soldiers’ Chorus.
Sierra and Faust sing and dance together on another hot salsa number, Celia Cruz’s “La Vida Es Un Carnaval.”
Staff Sgt. Monroe gives an emotional performance singing, “Bending, but never broken/Knocked down, but I keep going,” on a tribute to veterans in the form of Samara Joy’s R&B/soul/gospel number, “Why I’m Here.”
On “Armed Forces Salute,” the band and chorus honor audience members associated with the Coast Guard, Space Force, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Army. These currently-serving men and women of the military perform with pride as they recognize all the veterans in the house for their service.
Concluding tonight’s performance with John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the crowd claps along to Lt. Col. Robinson’s conducting cues before standing on their feet and cheering “U.S.A! U.S.A!” for the U.S. Army Band, the Soldiers’ Chorus, and America’s 250th birthday.
To learn more about the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, please go to armyfieldband.com. For more information on future Garden State Arts Center Foundation concerts please navigate to gsafoundation.org.
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