Seneca alum and Tabernacle native Angela Rubino to perform with Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes at Inaugural Parade
In 2015, Seneca High School graduate Angela Rubino made headlines as she was invited with The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes to play her saxophone in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Citadel’s band is the only U.S. military college band to ever be invited to the prestigious event, which is the largest of its kind in the world, according to The Citadel’s website.
Rubino, a native of Tabernacle, is back once again representing the area, by having the honor to play with The Citadel band in the Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually be able to perform (at the Inauguration). I think it will be a really good experience,” Rubino said.
To participate in the Inaugural Parade, bands and organizations have to submit applications. From hundreds of applications, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes and the Summerall Guards were chosen to participate. The Citadel band’s prior experience with the tattoos and other such events gave it a strong application, Rubino’s band director told her.
Rubino found out the band was chosen to play in the Inaugural Parade over winter break, so she didn’t have many details to share. However, she knew when she went back to school on Jan. 8 that she would be in for a lot of work.
“I don’t know what to expect. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” she said.
With the time constraint, Rubino expected when she got back to college she would be practicing anywhere from two to three hours a day. She said it would be a challenge with the Inauguration being so close, but having done ceremonial type gigs before, she is feeling confident.
“I like a challenge … It is a little nerve-wracking, doing something where we probably won’t have a dress rehearsal, but we’re used to this kind of ceremonial stuff, so I think we’ll be fine,” Rubino said.
Though Rubino does not know what exactly she will be doing before or after the Inaugural Parade, she hopes she gets to meet the other military bands participating and have some time to explore Washington, D.C.
“In Scotland, it was most fun meeting other bands, and I think that would be fun at the Inauguration. I look forward to meeting other military bands and branches represented there,” Rubino said.
When asked about how the local area may have helped her get where she is today, the Seneca alum said playing in the various bands and marching band in Tabernacle school district and Seneca High School helped her to pick up things quickly.
“Playing in the marching band definitely helps with the band at The Citadel. Playing music while moving is a learning curve, if you have that out of the way, you don’t need to learn it,” Rubino said. “(Tabernacle) is a pretty small town, so I think it is awesome that I am involved in these types of opportunities and in a school where I get these opportunities.”
From the Inaugural Parade, Rubino hopes The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes will get even more recognition, and hopefully more opportunities to play.
Rubino, a junior, is double majoring in chemistry and Spanish. After graduating, she hopes to do research with her chemistry degree, as she enjoyed her internship over the summer with environmental chemistry research. However, she absolutely plans to keep involved with music in some way.
“I’m sure I’ll do something with music. I’ve played for so long and I haven’t been without band, so I can’t imagine just leaving it behind,” Rubino said.
