Staff Sgt. Torin Olsen of the West Point Band performs the piccolo solo from John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Excerpts taken from two separate concerts live at West Point.
I'm currently playing piccolo in my marching band, and this is one of my life goals. I always come pack to this video because I just love how well they play this solo.
I started playing piccolo a little over a year ago and my band director just informed me that he wants to get the piccolo solo for stars and stripes forever for me to play on veteran's day this year and I'm really happy that I'll have a solo because I love playing but I'm also really nervous about it.
RaineOrShine 2 Your just a few days away, are you all ready for your solo!!? Let us know how it goes. 😊🕊🌈❤️ Good Luck to you 😀 just to let you know, I could never play piccolo, but I played flute and still do. I am also a US Army veteran.
I had to play this from memory in high school while marching down main street in the Veteran's Day Parade. One of my proudest moments. Trust me, this is not something you just pick up. This takes a LOT of breath control, concentration and timing. I applaud these soldiers. They did a perfect job.
Brings back great memories of playing the Stars and Stripes Forever piccolo part with the FAU jazz band, and other concerts... and the Marine Band I woulda-shoulda joined many years ago!
This is my piccolo. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My piccolo is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my piccolo is useless. Without my piccolo, I am useless.
Last week my band director handed out this piece and as I’m the main piccolo in our band I have to do this solo and I’m not prepared but this sounded really good
Played this by memory when I was in my high school marching band *ahem* years ago. Not easy! This is fabulous - wish I had been able to be that precise! Favorite march because of the piccolo part, and this makes it better.
TheGirlWhoLikesComedy ._. I’m sorry he had to cut it. It’s a beautiful march, but pretty difficult. Especially if you are limited on time. Maybe in a year or two 😊. Thank you for responding😀. Are y’all playing other patriotic music? 🇺🇸
TheGirlWhoLikesComedy ._. Good for y’all!! It just makes me feel awesome to listen and play patriotic songs and marches. I still play my flute 😊 and I am also a US Army veteran. I know I’m kinda old, but I graduated from high school in 1979. My daughter who graduated in 2010 was Pit Captain her senior year and also played the steel drums for 6 years. My husband played many instruments in band, and went on to play professionally. I’m sorry, too much reminiscing. I hope you enjoy band, and continue as long as you are fulfilled by it. 😊🕊🌈❤️
STARS AND STRIPES PICCOLO SOLO - WEST POINT BAND The most famous composition "THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER"...written by John Philip Sousa in 1896 has become the most popular and really recognized march of all time. It has captured the spirit of American patriotism and in 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed an act of Congress designating " The Stars and Stripes Forever " as the NATIONAL MARCH OF THE UNITED. STATES. ... On 2 ocassions in 2011, Staff Sgt.Torin Olsen of the West Point Band performed the Piccolo Solo from the score of this important march composition. As a musician, he stood front and center and with all his talent , charm and guts...."blew" each note in that melodius score in fortissimo while the flute section played the original melody in pianissimo to accompany his piccolo solo ... Staff Sgt.Torin Olsen, all by himself certainly played his piccolo solo from the score of the most important march composition by JPSousa with Superb execution, with the Obvious print of the composer's genius, Undeniably Satisfactory with Accurate interpretation and delivery, as S-O-U-S-A would want the piccolo solo part of that score played.... While the West Point cadets were thrilled at his performance, IT IS NO QUESTION THAT THE MARCH KING HIMSELF would thank Staff Sgt. Torin Olsen for the brave and courageous stand as he played the piccolo solo of Sousa's score for the most important march. " The Stars and Stripes Forever".... To the West Point Band a BIG HURRAH for playing the march....but please GIVE A BIG HEART TO OUR SOLO ARTIST for a job well played!!!!! Thank you Staff Sgt. Torin Olsen cuz you gave me a big smile on my face as i really appreciated your " gutsy" performance. From one musician to another...KUDOS FROM ME ..........FM
