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Staff Sergeant Brett Kirby

Staff Sergeant Brett Kirby is a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA.  He also serves as the unit’s Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Concert Band and Ceremonial Band as well as the Security Manager. Originally from Lynchburg VA, his Air Force career began in 2016 with the United States Air Force Academy Band, Colorado.

Staff Sergeant Brett Kirby is a 2003 graduate of George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, where he earned a Degree in Music Education.  In 2009, he received a Master of Music from Boston University, Boston, MA.

His teachers include Dale Underwood, Jim Carroll, Gary Smulyan, Will Vinson, and Joel Frahm.  SSgt Kirby has performed for the 24th and 25th International Saxophone Symposiums and has performed with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, The Allman Brothers Band, Ben Monder, Donny McCaslin, Jonathan Blake,  Marshall Gilkes, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Marvin Stamm, Duffy Jackson, Denis DiBlasio, Greg Gisbert, Scott Robinson, Ryan Keberle, Dave Pietro, Steve Wilson, the Canadian Brass, Byron Stripling, Ruben Simeo, Christian Lindberg, Ron Carter, Ed Soph, Steve Lippia, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, The Pikes Peaks Philharmonic, the Mclean Symphony Orchestra, the Fairfax Wind Symphony, the Virginia Grand Military Band, Los Gatos, The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and as a guest soloist with various collegiate ensembles

Prior to joining the US Air Force, Sergeant Kirby served on the music faculty at James Madison University, teaching jazz improvisation, woodwind techniques, and jazz combos. He also directed bands at Thomas Harrison Middle School (VA) and Jazz Ensemble at Harrisonburg High School (VA). Other past teaching positions include saxophone and clarinet instructor at Bridgewater College (VA), Music Director and Fine Arts Department Head at Stuart Hall School, Elementary, and Secondary Music Education for Fairfax County Public Schools (VA), Director of the Jazz Department at the Durham School of the Arts (NC).

EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Music, George Mason University
2009 Master of Music, Boston University
2020 Airmen Leadership School, Peterson SFB, CO

ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2016 – June 2022, Regional Band Saxophone – USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2.  June 2022 – present, Regional Band Saxophone - USAF Band of the Golden West – Travis AFB, CA

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Commendation Medal       1 Oak Leaf Cluster
AF Good Conduct Medal                              1 Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2017 Airman of the 1st Quarter – USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2017 Headquarters Airman of the 1st Quarter - USAF Academy, Peterson SFB, CO
2017 Musician of the 1st Quarter - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2017 Airman of the 3rd Quarter - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2017 Airman of the Year - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2018 Airman of the 4th Quarter- USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2018 Airman of the Year - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2018 Headquarters Airman of the Year - USAF Academy, Peterson SFB, CO
2018 Direct Reporting Unit Airman of the Year - USAF Academy, Peterson SFB, CO
2019 Airman of the Year - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2020 Musician of the 1st Quarter - USAF Academy Band, Peterson SFB, CO
2020 Distinguished Graduate - Airman Leadership School - Peterson SFB, CO
2022 NCO of the 4tht Quarter - Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
2022 AMC/PA NCO of the 4th Quarter - Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
2022 Hamilton Military Musician of the Year Award Winner – Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class – May 2016
Senior Airman – September 2018
Staff Sergeant – May 2020