“Spirit of America Band – this community band program is one of the most unique and successful programs of its kind in the country. This organization exists to meet the needs of not only its members but for the purpose of promoting music and good will throughout the northeast. The membership is made up of people who range from retirement age to young students in junior high school. This is a very healthy situation as the older members willingly give of themselves to help the younger members. The members of the band are talented, enthusiastic and dedicated to performing at the highest level of musical artistry. The leadership of the organization is dedicated to the total program and works tirelessly to ensure its success. This kind of organization is great for America and for the valuable lessons of cooperation and giving that takes place.”

Ray E. Cramer

Director of Bands, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Bands of America 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee

“Thank you for your participation in the Head of State arrival ceremony for President Kagame of Rwanda. It was such a pleasure to hear your music as we honored the President at the State House. Your performance added a historic and lively aspect to the ceremony. The President and First Lady deeply appreciated the warm welcome they received in Massachusetts. I know this was greatly due to your part in the ceremony. Thank you again for your willingness to make this event such a success.”

Mitt Romney, Governor

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

about_whatpeoplesay01“A span of time has elapsed since the Spirit of America came to Korea in the summer of 2006 and stunned the world’s band music community with your performance par excellence of Honor and won the richly deserved World Championship in marching show. The Korean people are infinitely grateful for your invaluable gift in the form of your world premiere performance of A Quest for Honor in Seoul, Daegu and other cities during your 2006 tour of South Korea. The good will and message of peace of from the American people were well represented by SOA to the Koreans who were fortunate to see, listen and otherwise appreciate your performing works. No Korean was more impressed than I was by the spirit of the American friendship and the manner in which it was displayed by SOA.”

Ben Q. Limb, PHD, Attorney at Law (New York Bar)

Member of the Foreign Affairs Advisory Council
to President Roh Moo Hyun Roh of the Republic of Korea

“The tour was truly a triumph and I hope you realize the breadth of the impact you had on us all here. The band’s ability to reach out and touch the lives of young people was extraordinary. They had as much impact on those students who were musical as those who were not, on those with resources as well as those from less privileged backgrounds, primary as well as secondary students and with rural young people as much as those in the city. They held workshops with over fifteen hundred young people. Each was touched by the joy of music, of thrill of marching and of the attention showered on them by the SOA members. Their workshops were formal in that they taught music technique, posture, marching skills but it was as much in the informal connections made that the band members worked their magic. Often the band only had half a day or less to interact with the Australian young people and in this short time you could feel them begin to change lives through music.”

Oliver Scofield, Director

Present Australia, Sydney South

about_whatpeoplesay02“I have learned of the splendid work you have already undertaken in New South Wales last week and on behalf of the people of Australia thank you for visiting our country. I understand that in addition to the magnificent shows you are presenting in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, you are also conducting workshops with young Australian from across the nation. You represent the finest that America has to offer and your visit emphasizes the enduring bonds that exist between Australia and the United States.”

Major General Michael Jeffery

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia