Sergeant Major Wesley Ballenger is the bass trombonist with the Concert Band, The U.S. Army Field Band Trombone Ensemble, and the Federal Brass. Sgt. Maj. Ballenger has performed as soloist with the Concert Band on works by Chris Brubeck, Daniel Schnyder, and Eric Ewazen. Sgt. Maj. Ballenger earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University in 2005, where he studied with M. Dee Stewart and Peter Ellefson. He also spent four months abroad in Vienna, Austria studying with Ian Bousfield. Sgt. Maj. Ballenger served as bass trombonist with the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus (IN) Philharmonic Orchestra, and the 2004 Disney Collegiate All-Star Band in Orlando, Florida. When he is not traveling all over the country with the Army Field Band, Sgt. Maj. Ballenger enjoys traveling all over the country with his family.
The Concert Band, the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s five ensembles, has performed for over 100 million people worldwide since its founding in 1946. This elite 65-member group has toured across all 50 states and 25 countries, performing in venues ranging from the Berlin Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall to state fairs and high school gyms. Often joined by the Soldiers’ Chorus, the band presents marches, overtures, popular and patriotic music, and solos. They’ve collaborated with renowned orchestras like the Boston Pops and Detroit Symphony and participated in presidential inaugurations and diplomatic events, embodying American pride and professionalism in every performance.