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==History==
==History==
Anthony A. Mitchell was born Antonio Alberto Miceli on 26 August 1917, in [[Clearfield, Pennsylvania]]. His father, a Sicilian immigrant, changed the family name to Mitchell a year later and Antonio became Anthony.<ref>Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.</ref>
Anthony A. Mitchell was born Antonio Alberto Miceli on 26 August 1917, in [[Clearfield, Pennsylvania]]. His father, a Sicilian immigrant, changed the family name to Mitchell a year later and Antonio became Anthony.<ref>Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.</ref> His father was a painter, but also director of the local band. Mitchell was one of twelve brothers and sisters, all of whom were taught to play musical instruments by the age of six.<ref>Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.</ref>


==The United States Navy Band==
==The United States Navy Band==
Anthony Mitchell moved to Washington D.C. in 1936 to study at the [[Navy School of Music]]. By then he already had a thorough musical education, learned at his father's side. He graduated from [[The Catholic University of America]] in 1946. For many years Cmdr. Mitchell was the Navy Band's clarinet soloist and dance-band leader.<ref>{{cite journal |last= |first= |title=The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band |journal=RCA Victor |date=1963 |volume=LSP 2688 |number= |pages= }}</ref>
Anthony Mitchell moved to Washington D.C. in 1936 to study at the [[Navy School of Music]]. By then he already had a thorough musical education, learned at his father's side. He graduated from [[The Catholic University of America]] in 1946. For many years Cmdr. Mitchell was the Navy Band's clarinet soloist and dance-band leader.<ref>{{cite journal |last= |first= |title=The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band |journal=RCA Victor |date=1963 |volume=LSP 2688 |number= |pages= }}</ref>

LCDR Mitchell modeled his playing after swing era clarinetest [[Artie Shaw]]. Mitchell was equally adept at all the forms of music the band had to play, including; [[jazz]], marches, patriotic songs, classical [[concertos]] and dance tunes.<ref>Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.</ref>

The family also produced another military band member. One of Mitchell's brother, Russell, was for many years the clarinet soloist with the [[United States Air Force Band]].)<ref>Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.</ref>


==Band Leader==
==Band Leader==

Revision as of 21:30, 26 July 2011

LCDR Anthony A. Mitchell (1918-2009) was a composer and band leader who led the United States Navy Band throughout the 1960's. He is best known as the composer of numerous marches, including the march Our Nation's Capital, the official march of Washington D.C.[1][2]

History

Anthony A. Mitchell was born Antonio Alberto Miceli on 26 August 1917, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. His father, a Sicilian immigrant, changed the family name to Mitchell a year later and Antonio became Anthony.[3] His father was a painter, but also director of the local band. Mitchell was one of twelve brothers and sisters, all of whom were taught to play musical instruments by the age of six.[4]

The United States Navy Band

Anthony Mitchell moved to Washington D.C. in 1936 to study at the Navy School of Music. By then he already had a thorough musical education, learned at his father's side. He graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1946. For many years Cmdr. Mitchell was the Navy Band's clarinet soloist and dance-band leader.[5]

LCDR Mitchell modeled his playing after swing era clarinetest Artie Shaw. Mitchell was equally adept at all the forms of music the band had to play, including; jazz, marches, patriotic songs, classical concertos and dance tunes.[6]

The family also produced another military band member. One of Mitchell's brother, Russell, was for many years the clarinet soloist with the United States Air Force Band.)[7]

Band Leader

Having risen to the rank of warrant officer Lt. Mitchell served as the band's leader from 1962 to 1968. He made several recordings with the Navy Band, including the 1963 recording The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band.[8][9] The album was the Navy's contribution to a unique Department of Defense organized four album set featuring each military branch band.[10] The albums were released to raise funds for the National Cultural Center in Washington D.C.[11] The Center was renamed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1964 to honor the fallen President. Lt.

Mitchell directed the band's weekly performances on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, founded the Washington Area Soloist's Festival[12], introduced a series of children's concerts, and led the band's first appearance at New York City's Carnegie Hall. He also composed Our Nation's Capital, the official anthem of the District of Columbia, as well as marches to honor national parks and the National Cultural Center March (later renamed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts March) for the opening of the Kennedy Center.[13][14][15]

Retirement

Anthony Mitchell retired from the Navy Band in 1968, having attained the rank of Lt. Commander. He received an honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Saint Francis College[16].

Mitchell died on 20 January 2009 of complications from lupus.[17]

Discography

Title/Program Collaborators Year(s) of Recording Record label
The National Culture Center Presents The United States Navy Band United States Navy Band 1963 RCA Victor LSP 2688
Three Hit Albums from the United States Military Bands United States Navy Band, United States Marine Corps Band, United States Air Force Band 2009 Collector's Choice ASIN: B00020QWXW

References

  1. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  2. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  3. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  4. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  5. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  6. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  7. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  8. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  9. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/three-hit-albums-from-the-us-military-bands-w119980/review
  10. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  11. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  12. ^ http://musiced.about.com/od/fourthofjuly/a/inauguration_5.htm
  13. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  14. ^ "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.
  15. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/three-hit-albums-from-the-us-military-bands-w119980/review
  16. ^ http://musiced.about.com/od/fourthofjuly/a/inauguration_5.htm
  17. ^ Schudel Sunday, March 29, 2009, p.
  • Schudel, Matt (Sunday, March 29, 2009). "A LOCAL LIFE: ANTHONY A. MITCHELL, 91

He Served His Country With Music". Washington Post. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); line feed character in |title= at position 39 (help)

  • "The National Cultural Center Presents the United States Navy Band". RCA Victor. LSP 2688. 1963.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anthony_A._Mitchell&oldid=441605086"