Taps 150will commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Taps, our National Song of Remembrance, in the Old Amphitheater (near the Lee Mansion) at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia on Saturday May 19, 2012. The event is sponsored by TAPS 150, Bugles Across America and Arlington National Cemetery.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
“Buglers from all over the United States are coming to Arlington National Cemetery to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience of sounding Taps in America’s most sacred shrine. These are dedicated musicians who believe that a live sounding of Taps is not only appropriate but deserved and even indispensable for those who have served our nation in uniform. I’ve been told by many of the registered participants that they are honored to be at Arlington for this special event. We are the ones who are honored by their presence.”
THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
COMMEMORATION OF TAPS
AT
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
MAY 19, 2012
10 AM-12 noon
We are extremely pleased to announce that Ms. Kathryn A. Condon, Executive Director of Arlington National Cemetery will be in attendance at the ceremony and will give remarks.
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We are extremely honored to announce that Colonel Larry H. Lang, commander and conductor of The United States Air Force Band will conduct the massed rendition of Taps at the TAPS 150 ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this Saturday May 19th at 10 AM.
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**NOTE**
REGISTRATION FOR BUGLERS IS CLOSED
For Buglers attending the event we are holding a little video contest CLICK HERE
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We have a Facebook Page too!
Just click on the photo below
Sign-in for Buglers will begin when the Cemetery opens.
8:00 AM-9:30 AM Sign in for participants
9:15 AM All participants will meet in the field across the street from the Old Amphitheater to rehearse the massed Taps.
9:45 AM Pre-ceremony music begins with the Maryland Defense Force Band.
10:00 AM Ceremony
150th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF TAPS
SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2012
10:00 AM
OLD AMPHITHEATER
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
PROGRAM
PRE-CEREMONY MUSIC
The Maryland Defense Force Band
OPENING NARRATION
ADVANCEMENT OF THE COLORS/NATIONAL ANTHEM
The United States Air Force Honor Guard/Maryland Defense Force Band
INVOCATION
Chaplain (Colonel) Edward T. Brogan, USAF (Ret.)
REMARKS
Ms. KathrynA. Condon, Executive Director, Arlington National Cemetery
MUSICAL SELECTION Maryland National Guard Honor Guard Trumpets
REMARKS
Mr. Thomas Day, Founder, Bugles Across America
MUSICAL SELECTION The Maryland Defense Force Band
REMARKS
Mr. Jari Villanueva, Bugle Historian, President of TAPS 150
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS/DRAWING FOR BUGLES
MASSED SOUNDING OF TAPS
All buglers
conducted by Colonel Larry Lang, Commander USAF Band
CLOSING NARRATION
MUSIC The Maryland Defense Force Band
Following the ceremony all buglers will pose for group photos in front of the stage area.
Following the photos all buglers will move to their locations in the cemetery.
Taps will be sounded throughout the cemetery following the chimes at noon.
12:45-2:00 PM Informal meet/greet at the Visitor Center to see the Kennedy Bugle
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UPDATE MAY 6, 2012
INFORMATION FOR SOUNDING TAPS AT ARLINGTON FOR ALL BUGLERS
First of all, let me thank you for coming from all over our nation to sound Taps at Arlington National Cemetery. I get the feeling like I’m inviting you over to my house since Arlington was like home to me for 23 years. You are all dedicated musicians who believe that a live sounding of Taps is not only appropriate but also deserved and even indispensable for those who have served our nation in uniform. We are honored by your presence.
Here is the plan for all buglers and trumpeters
for Saturday May 19, 2012
1. Please report to the Old Amphitheater near the Arlington House (Lee Mansion) at Arlington National Cemetery between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM to sign in. Registration tables will be set up. Early is always good. Download a map here:
2. When you check in you will receive a bag containing a TAPS 150 T-shirt, a TAPS 150 pin, a TAPS 150 wristband, and a Taps booklet by CWO (ret) Josef Orosz, along with a copy of the program for the ceremony. Also (and most importantly) you will be given a map with your section marked in red. Please note, the map will not have the exact location of a grave so you must find the gravesite when you get there. This is pretty important, as it is your responsibility to know the exact location of the grave you have chosen. Those participants who have been given generic section numbers should find a nice spot in the section where you are sounding Taps.
There will be tables set up of displays of bugles and materials to look at after you arrive.
3. At 9:15 AM, all buglers will meet across the street from the Old Amphitheater in the large field between the Old Amphitheater and the Old Administration Building. We will rehearse the massed Taps at that time. FIRST-unison in G, then the Harmonized B Flat version.
I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR THIS.PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE RHYTHM IN THE MIDDLE SECTION. WE WILL PLAY STRAIGHT EIGHT NOTES
Pick a part you are comfortable with and practice it, please. There is a sound file under the music. Again, please note the rhythm of Taps especially in the middle part.
This music can be printed out (landscape) and then reduced to 65% to fit on a music lyre. Try not to bring a music stand as you will have to carry it around all day…
5. Following the rehearsal we will line up along the perimeter of the Old Amphitheater in one big circle. Please be in place by 9:50 AM. The ceremony begins at 10:00 AM sharp. Massed Taps will be at the end of the formal ceremony.
6. After we finish the massed Taps, we will pose for photos in the Old Amphitheater. We’ll get a group photo, then by categories, i.e. gender, military, BAA, scouts, Civil War, etc.
7. At 11:15 AM, you should be on your way to your location. Most of you will be walking to your destination. We will have some vehicles (two 15 passenger vans courtesy of the Maryland Defense Force Band) to transport those who are sounding Taps in the lower sections (Sections 60, 64, 65, 66, 67 etc.) and those who require special assistance. If you are traveling by your own car, you must travel carefully through the cemetery, as there are thousands of visitors who walk through every day.
8. Once you arrive at your location find a good spot to sound Taps. If you are in a section or memorial where there are several players, work out who is going to play first. DO NOT PLAY ECHO TAPS. Everyone should play a full Taps on their own.
9. The signal for buglers to begin sounding Taps will be the conclusion of the noon chimes. Once the chimes finish at 12 noon, you may start Taps on your own. WAIT for them to finish. If you don’t hear the noon chimes for whatever reason, check your watch or (silenced) cell phone for the time and then go ahead and play Taps on your own. Remember, if you are in a section or at a memorial where there are many players, work it out so you sound Taps one at a time, giving everyone a chance to play.
10. Photographs and videos are OK. Please be mindful of others and respectful of where you are. It’s best to NOT take photographs while you are playing. Do some posed ones before or after. AND please send them to me so we can post them.
11. After you finish Taps you may visit other parts of the cemetery. Please note there will be no transportation back to the Old Amphitheater. You will be on your own to exit the Cemetery. The vans will travel along Porter and Eisenhower Drives to pick up any stragglers between 12:30 and 1:15. After that they must depart back to Baltimore with the MD Defense Force Band.
12. Vehicles are NOT allowed in the cemetery unless you have an ANC pass (available to those who have loved ones buried there). However, Arlington will be allowing some vehicles for the Taps150 ceremony with advance notice only. If at all possible leave your car at the Visitor Center Parking lot, but if you HAVE to drive in (there are some with equipment and special needs) I need to know Your Name and Type of Vehicle. Please send me that information no later than Wednesday May 16th at jari@taps150.org. Thanks for your cooperation!
13. There is no rain date. If it rains enough to impact the event, the only thing cancelled will be the ceremony at 10:00. We will still do the sign in at the Old Amphitheater and sound Taps at noon. Do not assume anything is cancelled. We will put updates on the Facebook pages and the TAPS 150 website:
-If you are wearing a uniform make sure it is being worn correctly.
-Dress nicely if you are wearing civilian clothes. This is Arlington National Cemetery.
-Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a little walking.
-Eat a good breakfast. There is no food service at Arlington.
-Bring an extra bottled water (we will provide one bottle). It could be warm.
-A snack (energy bar) is good to have too.
-There are restrooms at the Visitor Center and Arlington House
-If you are taking the Metro, get off at the Arlington stop and walk up to the Old Amphitheater. It is a 15 to 20 minute walk.
-We will have two 15-passenger vans to take buglers to sections that are a distance from the Arlington House. You will be on your own to return to the Visitor Center or your vehicle after the noon sounding of Taps although the vans will make a couple of passes on the main roads to pick up stragglers. It is less than a 30-minute walk from any point in the cemetery to the main gate.
-And remember, I will be at the Visitor Center from 12:30 to 2 PM to meet and greet and show off the Kennedy Bugle. We might be able to get the horn out of the case…
THANKS
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RAFFLE!!
WIN ONE OF THESE TWO BUGLES!
CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR INFORMATION
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The TAPS 150 Store is open
Click on the coffee mug above to visit the store to purchase
TAPS 150 medals, coins, patches, t-shirt, CDs and MORE!
We are honored to have Mr. Tom Day, founder of
Bugles Across America
who will be in attendance for the event!
Video from the 2007 Echo Taps Event at Arlington
Our purpose, also, is to heighten awareness of the need for live buglers to sound Taps at veteran’s funerals, honor those who have served with a musical performance of Taps, and foster a new generation of buglers.
All participants will be required to register at www.taps150.org Buglers will be able to choose where they would like to sound Taps in the Cemetery. Registration is free but mandatory.
You may sound Taps on a B Flat or G Bugle, a trumpet or a cornet.
The massed sounding of Taps at the Amphitheater will be in B Flat.
Dress: Military Uniform, Bugles Across America Official Uniform, CAP uniform, Veteran Service Organization uniform, School Band uniform, Boy or Girl Scout uniform, or dark suit is acceptable. Civil War re-enactors are encouraged to wear their uniforms.
Program Coordinator: Mr. Jari Villanueva, Bugle historian, military bugler
Following the ceremony, buglers will move to designated locations throughout the cemetery and sound Taps at the conclusion of the chimes at twelve noon.
You may pick a specific location (a grave of a loved one) or a monument in the cemtery or a specific location.
Locations include (this is not a complete list):
The Civil War Tomb of the Unknowns
Spanish American War Monument
Arlington House
General Pershing’s Grave
The USS Maine Memorial
The Confederate Memorial
Argonne Cross
General Miles Grave
Pan-Am Flight 103 Memorial
Glenn Miller marker
Rough Riders Memorial
John Cook’s Grave (Bugler and Medal of Honor Recipient)
Frank Whitchey’s Grave (bugler for WWI Unknown Soldier ceremony)
Keith Clark’s Grave (Bugler at JFK’s funeral)
Nurse’s Memorial
McClellan Gate
The 9-11 Memorial
The Coast Guard Memorial
The Memorial Gate
82nd Airborne Memorial
ARLINGTON TAPS 150 EVENT MAY 19
