1812 Concert at West Point

On Saturday evening, we headed to the United States Military Academy for the season-ending 1812 Overture Concert featuring The Hellcats and the Concert Band!! The concert is held outdoors at Trophy Point Amphitheater with the "Million Dollar View" of the Hudson River!

We arrived about 2 hours before the concert and set up our little picnic area. At 6:00 pm, the retreat ceremony was held when the flag was lowered for the day. The buglers played, the cannon was fired, and the flag was lowered. Everyone waiting for the concert stood in silence and placed their hands over their hearts. We knew the cannon would be really loud. William was not startled; instead, he said, "Boom" after he heard it!

Heading to Trophy Point

A personalized wagon...what a way to travel

We chose our spot... this the view directly behind us... directly in front of us was the band!

William relaxes in his wagon while waiting for the concert to begin!

The boys during the Retreat Ceremony watching the flag as its lowered and bracing for the cannon shot!

Look at those crowds on the hills behind us! It was approaching William's bedtime by this point, but he hung in there until the end!

At 7:30 pm, the band took the stage. Following the National Anthem, we were entertained by Awayday (Gorb), Country Gardens (Grainger), Variations sur un Air du Pays d'Oc (Cahuzac arranged by Parrette), Bugles and Drums and Old Glory Triumphant featuring the Hellcats, American Dream (arrangement of Irving Berlin tunes), Star Wars Trilogy, Armed Forces Medley, A Strouse Celebration, America/God Bless America, 1812 Overture with the Salute Batters, US Army Garrison West Point, and Stars and Stripes Forever!!

An amazing fireworks display accompanied the 1812 Overture and Stars and Strips Forever. William was a little frightened from all the cannon booms, but he really enjoyed all the colorful fireworks.

Some highlights:

• Using William's personalized wagon for transportation purposes!!
  
• Seeing our neighbor "Uncle Ron"
• Seeing all the people who attended... thousands
• Hearing the Armed Forces Medley -- as the song of each military branch was played, veterans and those with family members serving in those branches were asked to stand... so touching
• Watching the fireworks with our family

William loved the music! He stayed awake through two hours of music! He sat in Daddy's lap and conducted the band!!

What an absolutely amazing evening!