Navy Band Northwest played the 17th annual International Military Band Concert at the Washington State Center for
Performing Arts in Olympia, June 15.
Navy Band Northwest teamed up with the 56th Army I Corps Band and Band of the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian
Artillery to thrill an audience with their two-hour Father’s Day concert.
“This is a fellowship of musical communication between not only armed forces, but different nations, because we have
the Canadians here as well as U.S. Navy and Army,” said Musician 3rd Class Drew Williams. “We are playing some extremely
difficult pieces that could only be accomplished with the mass number of musicians we have here tonight.”
The bands were conducted by Navy Lt. Chuck Roegiers and Lt. j.g. Patrick Sweeten, Navy Band Northwest; Army Chief
Warrant Officer John Fraser, 56th Army I Corps Band and Royal Canadian Capt. Richard Van Slyke, Band of the 15th Field
Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.
“I think this show is the best one I have been involved with,” said Roegiers. “I think the band keeps getting better. They
are fabulous sounding band and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
This concert also marked Roegiers last performance with Navy Band Northwest. He was awarded a Meritorious Service
Medal by Rear Adm. James Symonds, Commander Navy Region Northwest, during the show for his work during his tour
as director of Navy Band Northwest.
“We are all indebted to the job Lt. Roegiers has done here as director,” said Sweeten. “He has left me some outstanding
musicians and it has been a lot of fun to work with musicians outside of Navy Band. It has made us more well rounded.
“The performance went extremely well,” continued Sweeten. “The audience was enthused, the conductors and musicians
on stage are all very excited. It’s been an arousing success, as usual.”
The bands preformed a variety of instrumental and vocal compositions including, “Great Gate Kiev” by David Adlington,
“Star Spangled Banner,” “Carousel!” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, “Third Suite” (March, Waltz, and Rondo) by Robert Jager,
and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (The Navy Hymn) by Claude T. Smith. 
“I thought the show was absolutely wonderful,” said Pat Lisoskie, concert attendee. “It’s something we need for patriotism
and I think it’s wonderful that all the people who have served in the armed services come out and enjoy the show. The band
was fantastic!”
Navy Band Northwest’s Barbershop Quartet, featuring Roegiers, Williams, Musician 1st Class James Raacsh and Musician 2nd
Class Eric Cavander, won the hearts of the audience with a John Philip Sousa rendition of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“I think the Navy’s Barbershop Quartet is more than outstanding,” said Edward McClaran, concert attendee. “The whole band
was inspirational and, as an old retired Soldier, it brought tears to my eyes. It brought back so many cherished memories.
The whole show was outstanding.”
“This show was fantastic and the Navy Hymn brings tears to our eyes every time we hear it,” said Larry Fisher, concert attendee.
“We are going to miss the director [Roegiers]. We enjoy these concerts. This show gives us an opportunity to show our support
for our military. It’s important to us to see them and honor them and if nothing else to listen to them play.”