Music and Drama
Cadets who have an interest and appreciation for music or drama will find ample opportunities to pursue their art at the Academy. Cadets with musical talent can choose from a variety of instrumental and vocal activities. Those interested in theater can participate in the Academy’s two major productions each year: a play produced and directed by cadets that rehearses and performs during the first half of fall semester, and a professionally-produced musical that rehearses and performs during the first half of spring semester.
Concert Band
The Concert Band offers an environment for brass, woodwinds, and percussion musicians to rehearse and perform diverse musical selections. In conjunction with music students from Connecticut College, this ensemble provides cadets with an opportunity to interact with other college students while performing challenging material from the traditional concert band repertoire.
The Concert Band’s director is Chief Warrant Officer Brianna Williams, Director of Cadet Instrumental Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band was established in 1959 to entertain and delight audiences with music from our nation’s jazz heritage. At concerts throughout the United States, the audience experiences everything from the contemporary big band sounds of Maynard Ferguson to the exciting music of Glenn Miller and other luminaries of the swing band era.
In recent years, the Jazz Band has performed over 50 concerts in eight states. In addition to a full schedule of performances on campus and in the community, other memorable performances include: the Medal of Honor Awards at Ellis Island, New York; shows at Disney World in Orlando, Florida; the International Joint Services Ball in Washington, D.C.; Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts; the Dogwood Festival in Macon, Georgia; South Street Seaport and Alexander Hamilton Museum in New York City; and Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Jazz Band’s director is Chief Warrant Officer Brianna Williams, Director of Cadet Instrumental Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Pep Band
The Pep Band consists of brass, woodwind, and percussion cadets who perform at athletic events both on and off campus. This group enhances the morale of the Corps by cheering the Bears on to victory on the basketball court, the rugby field, or the football stadium. For more information, contact Chief Warrant Officer Brianna Williams.
Regimental Marching Band
The Regimental Marching Band provides cadets with an opportunity to combine music with advanced aspects of military drill. The Regimental Band performs on Washington Parade Field for Regimental Reviews in the Fall and Spring semesters. The band also regularly participates in parades in the community, including the Boston Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Regimental Marching Band’s director is Chief Warrant Officer Brianna Williams, Director of Cadet Instrumental Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2021 by cadet string players who were eager to find an outlet for their musical talents at the Academy. From classical masterpieces to contemporary film scores, the Orchestra plays a diverse selection of music that appeals to both traditional and modern audiences. The group regularly performs on campus and also extends their reach into the local community, bringing their performances to a broader audience and fostering a deeper connection between the Academy and its surrounding area.
The Symphony Orchestra’s music director is LCDR Geddy Miller (ret).
Windjammers Drum and Bugle Corps
The Windjammers are the official drum and bugle corps of The U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Formed in 1957, as a traditional military marching band, the Windjammers have evolved to a contemporary, bell-front drum and bugle corps.
Since its founding, the Windjammers have performed with distinction at special events, festivals, and competitions throughout the United States. Some of their most memorable performances include: NFL halftime shows for the Commanders, Colts, Eagles, Bills, Giants and Patriots; the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC; the New England Collegiate Marching Band Festival; the New York City Veterans’ Day Parade; the Fall Foliage Festival in North Adams, MA; the Interservice Band Competition in Colorado Springs, CO; and the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC. Previous performances also include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Parade of Bands at Disney World, and the Shrine Bowl in Montreal, Canada.
Participation in the Windjammers is considered a fall sport that grants an Athletic credit.
The Windjammer’s director is Chief Warrant Officer Brianna Williams, Director of Cadet Instrumental Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Chorale
The Coast Guard Cadet Chorale is a select mixed ensemble that combines the vocal forces of the Fairwinds and Idlers. This group travels widely, performing for audiences each year in New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Boston, and beyond. International tours have included Italy, Germany, France, and England.
The Cadet Chorale’s director and musical arranger is Dr. Daniel McDavitt, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Fairwinds
The Coast Guard Academy Fairwinds is a select ensemble of 12-16 female singers chosen from the Cadet Glee Club by audition. Their repertoire includes classic popular tunes, war songs, showtunes, and sea chanties specifically highlighting the experiences of women in the seafaring services. The group has traveled widely, including a recent tour to Italy that featured performances at the Italian Naval Academy, the American Overseas School of Rome, and the International School of Florence.
The group’s director and musical arranger is Dr. Daniel McDavitt, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Glee Club
The USCGA Cadet Glee Club is a group of over 50 singers chosen by audition from the Corps of Cadets. This group specializes in the performance of patriotic music and songs of the sea. The Glee Club travels annually to entertain people throughout the country. Appearances have included performances at the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl in Mobile, the Annual Sea Fest in Miami, an All-Military Ball in Dallas, the Coast Guard Foundation Dinners from San Francisco to New York City, Disney World in Orlando, the USO, the Seafarer’s International, the New England Governor’s Conference, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The group has also performed for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and for numerous Presidential Inaugurations.
The Glee Club’s director and musical arranger is Dr. Daniel McDavitt, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Idlers
The Coast Guard Academy Idlers is a select ensemble of 12-16 male singers chosen from the Cadet Glee Club by audition. This group specializes in the performance of sea chanties, folk songs, barbershop, and patriotic music and travels annually to entertain people throughout the country. The group has traveled widely, including a recent tour to Ireland that featured performances at the Irish Naval Base and the National Museum of Ireland, among other venues.
The group’s director and musical arranger is Dr. Daniel McDavitt, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the Coast Guard Academy.
Drama Club
The Drama Club is a cadet-run production that rehearses and performs during the first half of fall semester, with administrative support from the Cadet Music Department.
Musical Theatre
The annual musical production is a much-anticipated event embraced by the Corp of Cadets, the Academy community, and the public. Each year, nearly 100 cadets (both on and off stage), along with faculty, staff, and other supporters combine efforts to produce a Broadway-style musical staged at the Academy. The stage crew is also an integral part of the musical with individuals working to build sets and provide lighting and assistance during performances. Diligent rehearsal culminates in performances over a single weekend near the end of February.
Past productions have included Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, Footloose, Grease, Camelot, Beauty and the Beast, and Mary Poppins.
Participation in the Cadet Musical is considered a spring sport that grants an Athletic credit.
The Cadet Musical program is overseen by Dr. Daniel McDavitt, Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the Coast Guard Academy, who provides music direction and conducts the performances. The production team includes CDR Jonathan Heller (ret.), executive producer; Brad Spachman, producer and administrative support; LCDR Jason Veara, producer and technical director; and Ms. Christine Poland, choreographer and stage director.
Dr. Daniel McDavitt (Vocal Music, Department Head)
Office: Leamy Hall, Room 402
E-mail: Daniel.R.McDavitt@uscga.edu
Office Phone: 860-444-8471
Dr. Daniel McDavitt is Director of Cadet Vocal Music at the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he oversees a vocal music program that includes four choral ensembles, a robust touring schedule, and a yearly musical production. He is also Director of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus, an ensemble specializing in major choral/symphonic works of historical and modern composers. Previous to these appointments, he was associate professor of music and director of the Goucher College Choirs and Orchestra, director of choral studies at Loyola University Maryland, and acting director of choirs at Knox College.
An award-winning composer and educator, Dr. McDavitt was awarded a commission from the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition, earned first prize in the Magnum Opus Composition Competition, and regularly accepts commissions from community, university, and school choral ensembles from around the country. His compositions and arrangements have been performed and broadcast throughout the United States and abroad. His music is published by Walton Music, E. C. Schirmer Publishing, Gentry Publications, and Jackman Music, along with a number of self-published works on his website, www.danielmcdavitt.com. He has also received numerous grants for music research and to promote new works by living composers. In 2017, he was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award at Goucher College and has presented his research multiple times at the Oxford Conducting Institute at St. Anne’s College at the University of Oxford (UK).
Born and raised in Missouri, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and humanities and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Brigham Young University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and literature, with a minor in theory/composition, from the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign.
CWO2 Brianna Williams (Instrumental Music)
Office: Leamy Hall, Room 402B
E-mail: Brianna.N.Williams@uscga.edu
Office Phone: 860-444-8461
CWO2 Brianna Williams is Director of Cadet Instrumental Music at the United States Coast Guard Academy. In 2014, she joined the U.S. Army and served in the U.S. Army Bands prior to her appointment at the Coast Guard Academy in 2024. As an Army Musician, she performed with the 4th Infantry Division Band, the 392nd Army Band, the 399th Army Band, and with the U.S. Army Women’s Brass Quintet at the International Women’s Brass Conference. As an educator, she previously served on the faculty of the U.S. Army School of Music and Missouri University of Science and Technology. CWO Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Euphonium Performance from Marshall University.
Mr. Brad Spachman (Administrative Coordinator)
Office: Leamy Hall, Room 402C
E-mail: Brad.Spachman@uscga.edu
Office Phone: 860-444-8472
Brad Spachman hails from Chicago. Before joining the Cadet Music team, he spent over 30 years as a stage manager—primarily for Goodspeed Musicals. Some of his favorite Goodspeed productions include Redhead, King of Hearts, and Singin’ in the Rain. At Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre, he last stage managed The Great American Mousical for Julie Andrews and Christopher Gattelli. In addition, he has enjoyed working for several other regional theaters across the country, including Yale Repertory Theater and Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Outside of Connecticut, he brought Goodspeed’s productions of Pippin and The Boy Friend to cities across North America. In Chicago, he has worked at the Goodman and Lookingglass theaters as well as on the original Chicago tryout of Smokey Joe’s Café. However, he has never appeared on Law & Order.
Music and Drama Organizations
The Cadet Jazz Band was established in 1959 to entertain and delight audiences with music from our country’s jazz heritage. At concerts throughout the United States, the audience can experience the contemporary big band sounds of Maynard Ferguson or the exciting music of Glenn Miller and other luminaries of the swing band era. Performances also feature a female vocalist on more contemporary “pop” tunes.
The Cadet Jazz Band has performed over 50 concerts in eight states in recent years. Memorable performances include the Medal of Honor Awards at Ellis Island, New York; shows at Disney World in Orlando, Florida; the International Joint Services Ball in Washington, D.C.; Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts; the Dogwood Festival in Macon, Georgia; South Street Seaport and Alexander Hamilton Museum in New York City; and Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. These are in addition to a full schedule of performances in communities and colleges throughout New England.
The Cadet Jazz Band is one of many bands at the Academy under the supervision of Chief Warrant Officer Ian Frenkel, Director of Cadet Bands.
The CGA Cadet Concert Band was created to provide an opportunity for the Windjammers and Regimental Band’s musicians to continue playing their instruments into the spring semester. The cadet musicians are usually joined by Connecticut College students for a combined performance. The concert venue typically alternates between the Academy’s Leamy Hall and Conn College’s Evans Hall. The band is under direction of Chief Warrant Officer Ian Frenkel and Mr. Gary Buttery and performs challenging material from the traditional concert band repertoire.
The Pep Band is “just plain fun” music. This group can most often be found enhancing the morale of the Corps, and cheering the Bears on to victory on the basketball court or in the football stadium. Even the intensity of a big wrestling match has been augmented by the enthusiasm of the Pep Band on occasion. For more information, contact Chief Warrant Officer Ian Frenkel.
The Regimental Marching Band provides cadets with an opportunity to pursue the most advanced aspects of military drill. The Band also regularly participates in Boston’s famous Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. For more information, contact Chief Warrant Officer Ian Frenkel.
The annual musical production is a much-anticipated event embraced by the Corp of Cadets, the Academy community and the public. Each year, nearly 100 cadets, along with faculty and theater enthusiasts combine efforts to produce a Broadway-style musical staged at the Academy. Each production is complete with choreography, vocal arrangements and acting opportunities. The stage crew is also an integral part of the musical with individuals working to build sets and provide lighting and assistance during performances. Diligent practice culminates in three performances over a single weekend. Past performances have included Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, Anything Goes, Footloose, Grease and Camelot.
The Windjammers is the official drum and bugle corps of The U.S. Coast Guard Academy and dates back to 1957, when the Windjammers was formed as a traditional marching band to provide cadets of the Academy with a meaningful music program. The band started as a traditional military marching band and evolved to a contemporary, bell-front, corps style band and finally to a full-fledged drum and bugle corps.
Since their founding, the Windjammers have performed with distinction at special events, festivals and competitions throughout the United States. Some of their most memorable performances include NFL halftime shows for the Redskins, Colts, EAGLEs, Bills, Giants and Patriots; the Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capital; New England Collegiate Marching Band Festival; the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade; Fall Foliage Festival in North Adams, Massachusetts; and the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina. Special performances over the years have included the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, several Presidential Inaugurals, Disney World and the Shrine Bowl at Molson Stadium in Montreal, Canada. In the past, regularly participating in the Inter-service Band Competition against Navy and Air Force in Colorado Springs has been another highlight for the group. For more information, contact Chief Warrant Officer Ian Frenkel.
Participation in the Windjammers is considered a full-fledged Fall Sport activity that grants an Athletic credit. Please check us out on Facebook.
