Takach Composes for the U.S. Army Soldiers' Chorus

The U.S. Army Field Band has commissioned Takach to write a new piece for the Soldiers’ Chorus. “Soldier” will be premiered in 2020, and takes its text from two speeches given by Joshua Chamberlain. The libretto was adapted by Takach and edited by MSG Adrian Hernandez and is a poignant statement of the sacrifices made by soldiers, both past and present.

”Soldier”

The flag we bear into the field is the flag of our country, the flag of our people. 

We fight the enemies of our common Country, we fight for home and all the sanctities of life, wide over the land, and far forward through the years to come. We are beckoned on by the vision of destiny, we see our Country moving forward, far forward through the years to come. 

In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays.  Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger.  We believe in the power of high aims and of strong purpose; of great endeavor and the onward, upward path of history. Each one gives themselves and belongs to, something beyond time and above place, – something which cannot die. 

-  Joshua Chamberlain (1828-1914). Adapted by TCT from public speeches, with edits by MSG Adrian Hernandez, US Army Field Band