An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Meet Our New Bassist

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Kaitlin Taylor
The United States Air Force Band is thrilled to be experiencing a boom of new members! This year has seen a large number of incoming musicians and it is my pleasure to welcome one of them, Technical Sgt. Victor Holmes Jr. He joined the Concert Band as a Bassist in February 2016. Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Holmes began his collegiate studies in Bass at Texas Christian University. He went on to earn graduate degrees from The Boston Conservatory and Boston University. Prior to the start of his Air Force career, Holmes performed as a string fellow in the Baltimore Symphony and was part of the Sphinx Organization. I was able to talk with Victor recently about his life and experiences in The USAF Band.

KT: Has bass always been your primary instrument of study or did you start out learning other instruments?
VH: I started drums at a very young age and actually didn't take a serious interest in bass until I was 17.

KT: When in school, what type of job were you hoping for?
VH: I prepared for orchestral auditions throughout my college years but was open to other possibilities.

KT: Did you consider a military band as a job opportunity?
VH: While playing in the Boston University Wind Ensemble, a recruiter talked to us about military music careers during one of our rehearsals. I considered contacting him but was strictly orchestrally focused and didn't have bass guitar chops at the time, so I held off.

KT: What are you most excited about regarding your new position?
VH: I'm most excited about the variety of ensembles I've been able to serve in. I've had multiple opportunities to play bass guitar in a rhythm section and play with the Strolling Strings on top of my regular duties with the Concert Band.

KT: What was your first performance with the USAF Band?
VH: My first live performance was on the Spring Tour earlier this year.

KT: As a bassist in the Concert Band, you play upright and bass guitar in a variety of styles ranging from classical to jazz, rock and pop. Did you study a mix of genres in school, or focus on one more than the other? Have you played any gigs with the Air Force Band where you've had the opportunity to try out or work on a new style?
VH: I primarily studied classical music in school but studied jazz bass alongside classical during my first two years of college. Any time I play with the Singing Sergeants Combo or in a rhythm section capacity, I feel stimulated and challenged in a way I wasn't during my classical training. It's not brand new since I was serious about drum set for the majority of my childhood but bass guitar is something I hope to continuously grow on.

KT: Have you learned anything about being in the Air Force that has totally surprised you so far?
VH: I was surprised and ecstatic about all of the educational benefits offered that will enhance my skills as a musician and Airman.

KT: What did you think of Basic Military Training?
VH: It was almost fun. I was raised in a household with similar standards for attention to detail and discipline, so it reminded me of where I came from.

KT: How was your experience?
VH: I did well there but really missed things and people I loved. After years of audition preparation, it was good to get in shape and learn about new things outside of my primary job.

KT: And lastly, what kind of music are you listening to these days?
VH: I listen to a lot of soul, R&B, hip-hop and jazz. Herbie Hancock, Chaka Kahn, Moonchild and Snarky Puppy are some of the most recent artists I've been checking out in my spare time. In the past few months, I've seen a lot of live music by artists that include Larry Graham, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kamasi Washington, Lizz Wright, Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Chris Potter, Dave Holland and Lionel Lueke.

Be sure to give TSgt Holmes and our many other new members a hearty welcome next time you see them at a USAF Band performance!