Woody writes:

I was introduced to the work of Philip Sparke several years ago when I had the opportunity to perform several of his pieces with the United States Army Band in Washington D.C. and with the Brass Band of Battle Creek. His works such as Celebration and Harmony Music were technically challenging and tested the performers endurance while having beautiful melodies throughout.

However, it was when I first heard his work Pantomime, performed by Steven Mead that I hoped Philip would someday write a similar work for trumpet. He did so, thanks to Colonel Gary Lamb, Commander of the U.S. Army Band, who commissioned such a piece last year.

The work is entitled Manhattan and is in two movements. The first movement, Saturday Serenade, is a beautiful, blues-like melody that soars. The second is a lively acrobatic movement called Sunday Scherzo. The U.S. Army Band premiered Manhattan at Avery Fisher Hall in New York in December of 2003 and I am looking forward to the premier of the brass band arrangement in Battle Creek with the BBBC in April of 2004. The piece is what every soloist and audience hopes for – challenging, listenable, and a lot of fun to play.

Woody English has been the BBBCs principal cornetist since its formation. As principal trumpet and soloist for the U.S.. Army Band's "Pershing's Own" and for the prestigious U.S. Army Brass Quintet. Woody has performed for audiences around the world in venues ranging from presidential inaugurations to mall gatherings for heads of state. He has spent more Christmases at the White House than at his boyhood home in Coldwater, Michigan.

Woody's military career has also given him the unique opportunity to he present at significant moments in our nation's history. On the eve of Operation Desert Storm, he performed a special service for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a small room at Camp David. After the events of September 11, 2001, he played at the national memorial services in Washington. He has played his soulful rendition of Taps while standing by the side of every President since Jmmy Carter at wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He has also had the great honor of performing Taps at hundreds of services in Arlington National Cemetery for soldiers as well as for Supreme Court Justices, Senators and Congressmen. He will also play Taps on the shores of Normandy June 2004 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

Many unusual and amusing events have occurred during Woody's twenty six years with Pershing's Own. One Christmas, President George H.W. Bush's dog, Millie, attacked a fellow musician dressed as Rudolph when the red nose on his costume lit up. Another time, General Colin Powell "ordered" the Brass Quintet to entertain his guests by playing classical brass music using rubber hoses connected to plastic funnels. One of the most amazing events happened as Woody was driving his car last March. He heard a broadcast of his own life story on his car radio. The story also explained how the military had created a special recording of Woody playing Taps. That recording is now available for the funerals of all World War II veterans so that all may properly be laid to rest. Woody then heard the familiar voice of Paul Harvey saying, "And that's ... the rest of the story."