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In shadow of COVID-19, Army Field Band plays on for America

U.S. Army Field Band members from left, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Pick, on the tuba, Master Sgt. Bradford Danho, on the clarinet, Staff Sgt. Andrew Emerich, on the drums, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Epley, on the banjo and Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson, on the trombone, are spaced to allow for social distancing as they play during the rehearsal of their daily "We Stand Ready" virtual concert series at Fort George G. Meade in Fort Meade, Md., Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The Army Field Band's mission is to bring the military's story to the American people. And they're not letting the coronavirus get in the way. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
U.S. Army Field Band members from left, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Pick, on the tuba, Master Sgt. Bradford Danho, on the clarinet, Staff Sgt. Andrew Emerich, on the drums, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Epley, on the banjo and Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson, on the trombone, are spaced to allow for social distancing as they play during the rehearsal of their daily "We Stand Ready" virtual concert series at Fort George G. Meade in Fort Meade, Md., Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The Army Field Band's mission is to bring the military's story to the American people. And they're not letting the coronavirus get in the way. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By ALLEN G. BREED / Associated Press National Writer 3 min read

For answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus, click here.

For members of the U.S. Army Field Band, it has never been merely about the music. Yes, they wanted to please the ear, but they played for the Army. For America.

So earlier this month, when concert dates evaporated with the spread of COVID-19 and the band was ordered back to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, there was never any question: The band would not stand down. The music would not stop.

With an already faithful following on Facebook and YouTube, they quickly set up a studio space from which to live stream.

The result: a daily “We Stand Ready” virtual concert series that has attracted more than 4.3 million viewers in just 10 days, said Master Sgt. Brian T. Sacawa, a Concert Band saxophonist for 17 years.