The United States Military Academy Band opened its 2007-2008 Guest Artist Concert Series with a performance featuring Lea Salonga. Held last October 26th at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall Theatre, the concert began at 7:30 p.m. In addition to Ms. Salonga’s appearance, the Concert Band’s performance showcased the percussion section with a selection entitled "Freckles Rag". Modest Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain and Donald Grantham’s Southern Harmony was also be featured.
Lea Salonga catapulted to international stage stardom when she was chosen to star as "Kim" in the 1989 world premiere of Miss Saigon in London. Only 17 at the time, the Philippines native received critical acclaim and went on to win the Olivier Award as Best Actress in a Musical. In 1991, she reprised her performance on Broadway, again earning rave reviews and winning the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical, along with Best Actress honors from the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics’ Circle. Ms. Salonga became the first Asian actress ever to play Eponine on Broadway in Les Misérables. She has released several albums which have sold millions of copies worldwide. Disney employed Salonga as the singing voice of "Mulan" in Mulan and "Princess Jasmine" in Aladdin.
Accompanied by the Academy Band, Ms. Salonga rendered selections from Miss Saigon, Mulan, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line and other favorites to a mixed audience of West Point cadets and guests. Guests' vehicles lined up hours before the concert at the Academy's Main Gate for the tight security check before the show.