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Airmen of Note reach out to students at Lamar University

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Bolinger
  • 71st FTW, Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Four musicians from the Air Force's premier jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note, visited with a Texas university's jazz-band students April 25 during an Advancing Innovation through Music Outreach trip. The Band members, gave the Lamar University students in Beaumont, Texas tips and guidance on how to be professional musicians, whether in a military jazz band or as a teacher in the classroom.

One member from each section of the Airmen of Note - winds, trumpets, trombones and rhythm - spent an hour coaching the students in the art of big band jazz.

Rick Condit, the saxophone professor and jazz band director for Lamar University, took full advantage of the visit to reach one of his teaching goals.

"I'm trying to get them to think like professionals, to function like professional musicians in addition to their teaching skills," he said.

Most of Condit's students are education majors, not performance majors. One of his goals is to expose them to the world of a professional musician.

"They hear from me every day," he said. "They hear the same things in the same way. Any time we can get a fresh perspective, a different set of ears that can hear things that maybe I don't, or re-enforce some of the ideas that I have been sharing, is very helpful."

The Airmen of Note members who visited Lamar were Chief Master Sgt. Tim Leahey, the flight chief and a trumpet player, Senior Master Sgt. Tyler Kuebler, an alto saxophone player and the musical director, Technical Sgt. Kevin Cerovich, a trombonist and Technical Sgt. David McDonald, the drummer.

"I believe it is vital for the Airmen of Note to reach out to a wide variety of educational institutions as part of our AIM Outreach program," said Kuebler. "Often, the small colleges or universities are where we see some of our greatest impact.

"The opportunity to connect with and influence aspiring professionals on a personal level cannot be overstated," said Keubler. "The students we have a chance to mentor, regardless of what career they ultimately end up in, are the leaders of tomorrow."

One of these future leaders, Carl Woodall Jr., the lead trombone player for Lamar's jazz band, said having accomplished professional musicians work with his college band really keeps him on his "A" game.

"I don't want to embarrass myself, especially in front of these guys," said Woodall, who graduates in May with a Master's in Music Education. "I've been listening to the Airmen of Note since I was a kid. I still watch YouTube videos of the band."

It is not uncommon for some of these very students to consider a career in the Air Force as a result of our impact, said Kuebler.

"Even if they don't choose military service for themselves, many of the students we interact with end up becoming teachers and mentors themselves, and the excellence and professionalism we're able to communicate on behalf of our colleagues in the Air Force has a lasting impact on them, both personally and professionally," he said.

Woodall is the embodiment of this impact. He began playing trombone in the eighth grade and now plans to teach music. He is also considering auditioning for military bands and other bands around the country.

What did he learn from the Airmen of Note?

"Don't be afraid to approach that line," said Woodall. "Always overplay everything you do. Put that extra emphasis on it, so the audience picks up on what you are doing."