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Ensembles
USAFA Band Official Logo
United States Air Force Academy Band
Colorado Springs, CO



United States Air Force Academy Band Ensembles

photo credit: Jenise Jensen of Dillon, CO

Concert Band

The United States Air Force Academy Concert Band proudly represents the Air Force Academy, the leading institution for educating, training, and inspiring men and women to become officers of character. The Concert Band is composed of 40 active-duty Air Force professionals and is one of nine Academy Band ensembles. In addition to performing for Air Force troop morale, recruiting, and community outreach events, the group often appears on radio and television broadcasts and presents educational performances and clinics at national music conferences. For over 60 years, the Academy Band has used the power of music to honor our nation’s heroes, inspire Air Force personnel, and the nation they serve, produce innovative musical programs and products, and communicate Air Force excellence to millions around the world. The United States Air Force Academy Concert Band appears on behalf of Lieutenant General Richard M. Clark, Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy.

 

 

Ceremonial Band

Military precision, service and musical excellence are the hallmarks of The United States Air Force Academy Marching Band. A variety of selections from John Philip Sousa to popular march music is performed at Air Force Academy cadet military parades, civic parades and national ceremonial events. Acclaimed as one of the finest military marching bands in the United States, The United States Air Force Academy Band Marching Band is made up of professional full-time bandsmen coming from the finest major conservatories, colleges and universities in the nation. They are dedicated to the mission of training our future leaders at the Air Force Academy, and representing the greatest air, space and cyber-space force the world has ever known. The Marching Band was formed at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, interim site of the USAF Academy, in 1955. The Band represents The USAF Academy throughout the nation at civic parades, special events and national ceremonies to include performances for the President and Vice President of the United States. All public performances are presented at no charge.

Academy Winds

​Academy Winds is an exciting member of The Academy Band's family of musical ensembles. This innovative sextet is comprised of instrumentalists from every section of the Concert Band to include woodwinds, double reeds, brass, percussion and vocals. The result is an eclectic performance sure to please every audience member. Drawing on fresh, dynamic arrangements, the group presents a wide variety of musical styles, always with contagious enthusiasm. Whether performing Renaissance music, symphonic favorites, traditional jazz or even the latest pop chart, this versatile ensemble will have you wondering, "What could possibly be next?"

Academy Winds superbly supports the USAF Academy Band's missions of community relations, educational outreach and Air Force recruiting. The members of Academy Winds have studied at some of the most prestigious universities and music conservatories in the country. The group uses that education to perform spectacular public concerts and to offer outreach to high school and college students through clinics and master classes. Their exceptional musical performance will not only entertain you but will also deliver a patriotic message that will linger in your heart and mind forever. Academy Winds guarantees a memorable musical experience!

Academy Winds is a unique ensemble that captivates and educates students at grade school, high school, and college levels. Using student involvement and a variety of instruments from kazoos to strings, the ensemble explores many genres of music and encourages school pride, patriotism, positive self-image and teamwork. They even sneak in the importance of physical fitness and the idea of "excellence in all you do", an Air Force core value! Their message focuses on maximizing personal and professional skills, and is appropriate for the entire student body and faculty. The group is flexible enough to perform in any setting, from an intimate classroom to a large concert hall. In one action-packed performance, Academy Winds will create lasting memories and lifelong lessons for students and educators alike. All events provided by the Academy Winds are free and open to the public.

Technical Sergeant Wonpyo Lee, Flute
Master Sergeant Monica Ding, Oboe
Master Sergeant Robert Vitale, Clarinet
Master Sergeant Gerald Welker, Horn
Technical Sergeant Christopher Jackson, Bassoon
Technical Sergeant Joseph Glassman, Percussion

Blue Delta

Blue Delta is the commercial, popular music ensemble of the United States Air Force Academy Band. These full time, active-duty bandsmen are committed to enhancing community relations, supporting the recruiting mission of the United States Air Force Academy and instilling the Air Force core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence in our nation’s youth. Blue Delta's mission also includes deployment, military support and troop morale. The group performs high energy music from a variety of genres, and their versatility and dynamic stage presence enables them to tell the Air Force story to audience members of all ages. Whether on a flight line in the desert, high school gymnasium, large concert hall or a national sporting event, Blue Delta has the ability to create the ideal atmosphere for any performance venue or setting. All performances are presented free and open to the public.

The Falconaires

The professional Airmen-musicians in the Falconaires follow a long blue line of talented Air Force Academy bandsmen, dedicated to serving our great nation. We represent the young men and women at the United States Air Force Academy training to be officers of character who will lead our Air Force and Space Force. It is also our distinct privilege to support our veterans and all men and women currently serving around the globe, protecting the freedoms we all enjoy. These selfless Americans allow us to share the music and remarkable talents of the Falconaires. The versatility and professionalism of this unique ensemble reflect the great diversity and ingenuity that makes the United States Air Force the greatest air force the world has ever known.  The Air Force Academy Band's Falconaires play a major role in cultivating our national heritage through America's foremost indigenous musical genre: jazz!

Stellar Brass

Described by the International Trumpet Guild as "an ensemble full of variety, panache and virtuosity," Stellar Brass is an original and innovative brass quintet performing a broad range of eclectic, musical styles. They are dedicated to providing unwavering support for the training of the Air Force Academy Cadets, and to the unique telling of the Air Force story nationwide. Stellar Brass has represented the United States Air Force as musical ambassadors through internationally distributed audio and video recordings and broadcasts, and are nationally recognized and respected as clinicians, presenting university, college, and high school master classes. They have provided musical support at numerous civic and military ceremonies, and have spotlighted the Air Force at prestigious symposia such as the International Trumpet Guild Convention, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference and at highly-coveted public performances at major concert halls throughout America.

Rampart Winds

As one of nine performing ensembles in The United States Air Force Academy Band, Rampart Winds is a featured woodwind quartet that performs traditional literature. Each member of the ensemble brings to the forefront a wealth of musical knowledge and experience, having performed in numerous orchestras and music festivals around the world. Some of these locations include countries in North America, Central America, Asia, and Europe. By performing a diverse repertoire including original works, standard and contemporary compositions, and patriotic favorites, Rampart Winds superbly supports its missions of community relations, educational outreach, and Air Force recruiting. In addition to these missions, this exquisitely polished and refined ensemble is in high demand for diplomatic and military protocol events throughout the country. These events have included the First Ladies’ Dinner hosted by former President Clinton in Denver, the opening of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, and ceremonies for numerous U.S. and foreign dignitaries. The quintet’s engaging approach to clinics and workshops makes it a favorite in academic circles, benefiting students of all ages. Upholding one of the core values of The USAF Academy Band, Rampart Winds exemplifies the highest standards of musical excellence. In recent years, members of the Rampart Winds have performed for the National Flute Association, the International Clarinet Association, and the International Double Reed Society conventions. The music of Rampart Winds has been broadcast on National Public Radio, PBS, and television stations worldwide.

Rockies Clarinets

Established in 1999, The Rockies Clarinets presents the unique mixture of clarinet musical offerings of The United States Air Force Academy Band. Supporting community relations, recruiting, troop morale, and educational outreach missions, this well-honed ensemble embraces traditional clarinet trio literature, exciting new works, and an eclectic collection of arrangements originating from folk and popular styles. With "clarinetistry" at its finest, the quartet's winning mix of inspirational, sophisticated selections and quirky, comedic musical jests is sure to satisfy a wide array of audience members, young and old.  As seen and heard from their public concerts to military functions across America, The Rockies Clarinets exemplifies the world-class musicianship of The United States Air Force Academy Band and the outstanding professionalism of the United States Air Force.

Wild Blue

​Wild Blue is the United States Air Force Academy's commercial band of active-duty musicians whose mission is to support the Air Force, and its Academy, both stateside and abroad.  Wild Blue has been featured on ABC's "Good Morning America," Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," the Grand Ole Opry and many other national television and radio broadcasts.  Using the power of music, these full-time active-duty airmen are committed to serving the cadets at the Air Force Academy, deploying overseas to support the welfare of our troops, and innovatively telling the Air Force story in communities throughout the world.


 


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