By Stacy Floden, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Chief Warrant Officer Greg Stepp, commander of the 202nd Army Band has recently been named as the Bandmaster of the Army National Guard. Stepp will now oversee all bands in the Army National Guard nationwide. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steve Baker)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Strike up the band for Chief Warrant Officer Greg Stepp, Commander of the 202
nd Army Band as he has been named the new Army National Guard Bandmaster. Stepp has been a warrant officer and the 202nd bandmaster for nearly 20 years, but his leadership and influence has not been limited to the geographic boundaries of Kentucky. He will now take on the responsibility to assist the National Guard Band program in meeting the mission for state requirements and overall Army requirements of National Guard Bands.
“This new role provides me an opportunity to positively influence the National Guard Band program through interaction with all bandmasters, National Guard Bureau and Active Component personnel as we move forward,” said Stepp. “This is certainly a highlight in my National Guard career.”
On a full time basis, Stepp leads the Scott County High School band as their director. His mentoring of thousands of middle and high school students, and his leadership at the national level, the 202nd was awarded the Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Military Musical Excellence for Concert Bands in 2011 by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, one of only five National Guard bands to receive this prestigious international award.
“I have personally known CW4 Stepp for nearly two decades both personally and professionally and can attest to his career of excellence and high moral character,” said Sate Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops. “He is a man of many talents, and we are very fortunate to have him as a mentor and leader within the Kentucky Army National Guard.”
Stepp is the first Kentucky Guardsman to be selected as the ARNG Bandmaster. He will perform double-duty as the Commander of the 202nd as well as the ARNG Bandmaster. The previous ARNG Bandmaster was a West Virginia Guardsman. Now the slot resides with Kentucky which means the Kentucky warrant officer will lead the bandmaster cohort until Stepp retires or vacates the position.
“My mother is a church organist and I have been exposed to music since I can remember. Music is an important part of all of our lives,” said Stepp. “When band instruction was offered in my 4th grade, I chose to participate and my love for music grew from there.” “Stepp's selection as the ARNG Bandmaster provides us with the opportunity to showcase the talent and leadership of one of our many outstanding warrant officers,” stated Stoops.
“Having the opportunity to endorse him for the ARNG Bandmaster position was a great honor and pleasure.”
Stepp has been a band director for 31 years. In addition, Stepp until recently served as chairman of The Non-Commissioned Officer Education System Subcommittee of The Army National Guard Band Advisory Committee and last year was reappointed to this national-level advisory panel.