TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Clarinet Quartet, an ensemble including four clarinets and percussion, from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base, California, performed a new musical composition during their Southern California tour from Sept. 9 to 14, which included stops at the Brand Library and Arts Center in Glendale, the Chula Vista Veterans Home, three southern California schools, as well as the U.S.S. Midway Museum to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the ship.
The musical piece entitled “Expeditionary Airman” was composed by Jeff Scott, a french hornist and musical composer from Queens, New York.
“We approached Mr. Scott to write this piece for the 70th Anniversary of the Air Force,” said Master Sgt. Anna Andrew, Band of the Golden West noncommissioned officer in charge of the Clarinet Quartet.
Scott was more than happy to assist the group.
“I was ecstatic when they asked me to compose this piece,” he said. “First of all, because it is such an odd combination, a clarinet quartet with percussion. I get excited to make an ensemble like that play legitimate music, that way it legitimizes the ensemble itself. They have to take it serious if they are playing serious music, and play it well. These guys are amazing.”
Scott has composed music for many different groups and this was his second time composing a piece for an Air Force band. He spoke highly of the Band of the Golden West and his experience with them.
“You realize when you travel and you meet other people, there are amazing people in every corner of the world,” he said. “I am absolutely blown away with the musicianship of the Air Force bands. The music I wrote, I was not trying to be easy with it. It is really challenging and they rose to it.”
The piece was debuted for a crowd of more than 100 people at the Brand Library and Arts Center. It was written to tell a story and to recognize the military’s responsibility to protect the people of the United States.
“It is a very unique and innovative piece and there is nothing else like it written for a clarinet quartet,” said Andrew. “We think this symbolizes the innovation of the Air Force and of our Airmen.”
Scott said he was excited for the group to debut his composition.
“This has been an absolute pleasure,” he said. “I don’t take for granted that people like the music that I make and have given me the opportunity to write more and have it be played and shared all around the world. This music did not exist two months ago and because of this group here, it does.”