The West Point Band Performs and Teaches Cadets

Members of the West Point Band, led by MSG Michael Reifenberg, instructed cadets enrolled in Society and Culture in American History on the development of African American musical styles from 1850 to 1960. During their class, the Band provided live demonstrations on various musical styles to include Classic Blues, Boogie Woogie, Ragtime, Dixieland, and Bebop. The Band's performance and discussion gave cadets a better understanding of how and why African American music developed a distinct style and how it influenced American culture and society as a whole. The presentation fit into the larger theme of the class from the margins to mainstream. Through the course, cadets examine the history of American society and culture thematically by analyzing how and why the culture and ideas of marginal groups have been incorporated into mainstream American society. With the assistance and expertise of the West Point Band, the cadets walked away with a better understanding of this dynamic.