Beilue: Fanfare at the inauguration

Photo: WTAMU alum Chris Buckley, center, performed Jan. 20 with the U.S. Army Band's Herald Trumpets at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. (Photo courtesy Department of Defense)

WT alum among Herald Trumpets to announce dignitaries

When Chris Buckley auditioned for one of the most prestigious bands in the country, it came with a bit of a catch for the 2002 West Texas A&M graduate.

He also had to the join the United States Army.

“You win the audition,” Buckley said, “you join the Army. It’s pretty simple.”

That was in 2010 — a momentous time to be sure. That year he earned his doctorate from the University of North Texas, married wife Leah a week later, and three months later, auditioned for and won entrance into Pershing’s Own, the premier musical organization of the U.S. Army since 1922.

Buckley is one of the few to join the Army because of the euphonium.

That has provided him, however, with some special moments. As one of 16 members of the ensemble Herald Trumpets, which dates back to 1948, Buckley performed Wednesday in his third presidential inauguration and then later that evening at the Lincoln Center.

Sgt. 1st Class Buckley — who is also Dr. Buckley — switches to the tenor herald with the Herald Trumpets. It has the same range as a tenor trombone and euphonium. As such, Buckley was on a balcony overlooking the dais for the swearing in of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Herald Trumpets were in formation and playing from about 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Most of their music is crisp fanfare when former presidents and their wives entered as well as for the future president and vice-president.

“Each inauguration is a little different,” Buckley said. “It’s an honor first of all. It’s an honor to serve my country, an honor to be part of such an historic occasion. One thing that’s great about being in the military is we are there to serve the president, to serve the military district of Washington. This way happens to be music.

“We are there to do the best we can at any occasion. Being there at the inauguration, we get to see and hear things most might not see on TV, little interactions here and there. So that’s really special to be part of that, and I tell myself not to take that for granted.”

The day was not done after the inauguration. They played fanfare for the new president and vice-president as they entered the White House and then were part of a 90-minute free concert that night at the Lincoln Center.

Buckley left his home at 3 a.m. Wednesday and didn’t return until midnight. All told, it was a 21-hour day. Not a typical one obviously, but a special one for a sergeant first class with premier U.S. Army band status. It was what he one day envisioned when he auditioned nearly 11 years ago.

“After I got my doctorate (in 2010), I was keeping my options open,” Buckley said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to teach high school or middle school band, freelance for awhile in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, or audition for the military band. There were some reasons that helped me decide to try the military route.”

Buckley’s primary instrument is the euphonium, a bit of an unusual instrument that is similar to a baritone tuba but smaller. It derives its meaning from the Ancient Greek, meaning “well-sounding” or “sweet-voiced.”

The euphonium is not a standard instrument in symphony orchestras. To play professionally, it’s usually in military bands. Fewer auditions make for more candidates going for fewer spots, and most of those are doctorate or masters level musicians.

“It was pretty intense,” Buckley said of his audition. “Highly competitive.”

Buckley won his audition at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va. With that not only came a handshake and backslap, but an induction into the Army. In no time, Buckley was going through basic training with soldiers who wouldn’t know a euphonium from a eucalyptus.

He was assigned the permanent duty station of Fort Myer just outside Washington. That means he does not have to travel every three years to another base or job.

While Buckley’s military music duties have taken him to Los Angeles, San Antonio and Chicago, and he’s performed at the 2015 NCAA championship basketball game, most of the performances are in the Washington military district.

In the Army, they are called “missions.” He has played for ambassador arrivals at the White House, memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery, military retirements, the national anthem for sporting events, and other missions.

“We are very busy,” Buckley said. “We have lots and lots of these all year long.”

Buckley’s musical springboard came at WT. He grew up in the border city of Laredo where he started on trumpet in seventh grade and switched to euphonium in the ninth grade.

“I watched Bugs Bunny and ‘Loony Tunes’ as a kid and heard all that music,” Buckley said. “I wondered if I’d be good enough to play those instruments they were playing. That’s why I picked the trumpet.”

After graduating from United South High School, Buckley attended Laredo Community College. John Riemund was a music instructor. He was also from Booker, in the northeastern Texas Panhandle, and a graduate of WT. He strongly recommended his alma mater.

In due time, Buckley found himself headed north 10 hours to Canyon in 1999. He didn’t have a car. One bus trip back took 17 hours. Some others from Laredo eventually came to WT, which made car pooling possible. Still, Buckley rarely made the long trip home. He immersed himself in the WT experience.

“I had a great time,” he said. “I loved every minute of it. I felt like I got a great education – exceptional teachers and great people that I laughed so hard with.”

In addition to being an RA at Guenther Hall, Buckley played in about every opportunity there was – marching band, two jazz bands, orchestra, symphony, concert. He even sang a little in a chorale. He got his music education degree in 2002, never thinking the U.S. Army band was eight years down the road.

Buckley, 41, has 10 years in the Army and needs 10 more for retirement. He said he’s at least good for that many, but possibly as many as 15 years.

“Three more inaugurations,” he said.

Photo: The Herald Trumpets of the United States Army Band. (Photo courtesy Department of Defense)

Do you know of a student, faculty member, project, an alumnus or any other story idea for “WT: The Heart and Soul of the Texas Panhandle?” If so, email Jon Mark Beilue at jbeilue@wtamu.edu.