The Searcy band director, Tony Luzzi, is a member of the Army National Guard, but not in the regular army…he serves in the Army Band.

“I joined in 2001 and took basic training in 2002. A late start, I was 32 years old when I went to basic training. I was older than most when I went,” said Luzzi. “I’m a trombone player in our band, but I can play many other brass instruments; I’m a specialist of the brass instruments.”

Luzzi is currently in the Arkansas Army National Guard, while in the band.

“We are full fledged soldiers,” explained Luzzi. “We go to basic training. We do the training that everyone else does, and we go to the School of Music for training as well. We are what is called a civilian acquired skill, which means you do it in the Civilian World and you audition, and by selective audition, you can be placed in the band.”

While in the Military, he has won several awards.

“The awards come along with the time and service; different things you can do such as an Army Comindation or Army Achievement Medal,” Luzzi said. “I have earned both of those, last year. My highest award has been NCO of the year for Army Reserve Component, which means on a national scale, they selected me as there NCO of the year, which is not Commission Officer.”

Luzzi believes in giving back to his Country.

“I’m very patriotic; I enjoy what I do,” Luzzi said. “We live in a great country and I believe in giving back to something who gave us so much.

“So, this is my way of giving back to our country by serving our citizens in an army band. Whether it be performing a concert for them, a ceremony at camp Robinson or whereelse we might be. I believe in giving back and I believe this is the best way for me to give back to our country,” explained Luzzi.