Staff Sergeant Andrew Garcia
Staff Sergeant Andrew Garcia is currently serving at the famous United States Military Academy as principal trumpet of the West Point Band . Andrew was one of the very first Future All – Stars delegates whilst also being the youngest member of the New York Staff Band . Simon Morton was able to catch up with Andrew to get some more insight into those early FAW days and to hear about the unique concept of this much-loved annual event .
SM : What were your expectations for the very first FAW seeing as how this had never been done before ? AG : I remember that first weekend being a test flight of sorts . The Staff Band members had to go into it with the understanding that everybody had to adapt to the unforeseen and fill in gaps where they arose . Now that I ’ m a bit older , I can appreciate just how difficult it is to create something out of nothing and how much thought and planning must have gone into it , but at the time I remember being able to simply enjoy the excitement of starting something new without being burdened by what must have been an organizational roller coaster . It was also difficult to imagine that in such a short time we would be able to assemble a band , rehearse a program , and put on a performance in the space of one weekend , but somehow , we pulled it off !
SM : How did you find the experience of being both a member of the NYSB and a FAW delegate ? AG : There was a long stretch in my time with the NYSB where I was the youngest member by some distance . It was a wonderful experience that heavily shaped my musical future , but also presented some challenges being a full generation removed from the rest of the group . It was a nice change of pace to be in that kind of setting with musicians my own age who shared the same passions that I did and provided an opportunity to experience that setting as more of a seasoned veteran , rather than a newcomer .
SM : The concept of FAW is unique from an educational standpoint , have you found this model elsewhere in the professional music world ? AG : While the weekend ensemble concept has been established in such things as regional honor ensembles and all-state band conferences , what separates the FAW from the rest is having such full support from an entire group of musicians . The fact that every member of the Staff Band is expected to pitch in and provide mentorship and coaching to the delegates is wholly unique . It ’ s hard to imagine any other group being able to make something like the Future All – Stars Weekend work , which is one of the things that makes the NYSB so special .
SM : It must have been surreal returning to FAW as a guest soloist from West Point ? AG : I ’ ve had the privilege of being able to
come out as a guest with the West Point Band a couple of times — once as a part of the West Point Brass Quintet and once as a soloist . The majority of my professional performances are for either military personnel or community concertgoers , so it ’ s always a unique experience to play for an audience that is entirely composed of informed and enthusiastic musicians . On the one hand , it makes for a deeper understanding between performer and audience , but on the other hand , you know you can ’ t get away with too much ! It was also very exciting being able to share the experience with my colleagues in the West Point Band . They were amazed by the level of enthusiasm and performance of the delegates and still maintain it to be some of the best outreach we ’ ve ever done .
SM : Any funny or memorable moments you ’ d like to share with us ? AG : For that first concert , somebody thought it might be a good idea to have me be a featured soloist . I ’ ll never forget getting up to perform , comprehensively laying an egg , and then running into our Divisional Commander following the concert . He promptly grabbed me by the shoulders and said , “ So you are human !”
THE SALVATION ARMY USA EAST SUMMER 2024 NYSB BULLETIN 5