USAREUR Band Tattoo Appearance in Oslo "a 100% Success"

OSLO – Norway The USAREUR Soldier's Chorus and members of the Jazz Band performed at the Norwegian Military Tattoo in Oslo in late Spring 2008. The Band and Chorus members led by Captain Daniel Toven represented America in seven performances throughout the event. Their program featured standards from the Big Band songbook like "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and Glenn Miller's famous "In The Mood".

After performing their own show, the group joined other military bands from around the world in a friendship parade and ceremony attended by the royal family of Norway and the highest ranking officers of the Norwegian military. For the members of the band, this was another opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote peace between America and its European allies.

One of the trip’s highlights was a Soldier's Chorus concert in the hotel where many tattoo participants were staying. The concert featured both acapella works and pieces with piano accompaniment and musical styles ranged from classical to pop and jazz. Captain Toven accepted flowers on behalf of the group after the concert's conclusion and ensuing standing ovation. At the end of the tattoo, the Chorus still wanted to perform and organized an impromptu concert for the final night's cast party. According to Captain Toven, the overall effort of the USAREUR Band and Chorus’ musical ambassadors was “a 100% success.”

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