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U.S. Air Force Band units to tour Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Kevin Cerovich
The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants are preparing for a 12 day spring tour, followed immediately by an Airmen of Note nine day tour. The two groups will reach a wide variety of audiences in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

All of these units share the same mission: to honor those who have served, inspire patriotism and service, and positively impact the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America. They each go about this in their own unique ways.

One common thread the two groups share is that each just finished recording a new album in anticipation of this year's 75-year anniversary of The U.S. Air Force Band. Much of this new repertoire will be featured prominently on these upcoming concerts.

The Concert Band repertoire will include "Concerto for Tuba" by Donald Grantham, featuring Technical Sgt. Daniel Walley, and Martin Ellerby's "Clarinet Concerto," featuring Senior Master Sgt. Blake Arrington. The programs will also feature several new pieces from their most recent recording, including "An American Journey" by John Williams.

"It's a privilege to represent America's Airmen as the band performs for audiences in Arkansas and throughout the South" says Arrington, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. The band performs in Little Rock on Thursday, April 7.

"When I was a student, any time a military band came through I was excited to see the hometowns of the band members listed in the program," says Arrington. "The thought that one day that could be me would cross my mind. It's surreal to think that a student could have the same thoughts when seeing the band in my hometown."

The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants are sure to have a broad influence in live performances, media appearances and education outreach on this upcoming tour. They will return only four days before the Airmen of Note begin their public outreach tour in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday, April 19.

Texas holds a special place in the history of the Airmen of Note, as six of the group's current members and many alumni of the band have attended the University of North Texas at Denton. The group's music director, Senior Master Sgt. Tyler Kuebler earned a master's degree there in 1997.

"Coming back to UNT is one of the highlights of my career with the Airmen of Note. I'm honored to be in a position to carry on the rich tradition and legacy of the jazz program at North Texas while serving my country with the U.S. Air Force Band.  The lessons I learned from the incredible faculty and student body during my time at school has served me well in my professional endeavors," says Kuebler.
Fresh from their own recording session, the Airmen of Note will be playing new and classic repertoire. They will be premiering several new compositions and arrangements by Master Sgts. Alan Baylock and Ben Patterson and Technical Sgt. Luke Brandon. In addition, the group will perform several previously un-heard arrangements by some of the band's most storied arrangers including Sammy Nestico and Mike Crotty.

Much like the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants, the Airmen of Note will reach vast swaths of the country with live appearances, media events and education outreach this April in what is shaping up to be an unforgettable month of music. The band's bassist and newest member, Technical Sgt. Cameron Kayne summed up his feelings: "It's like nothing else to get to go to these communities and be face to face with people all over our country. All of this while playing music on the highest level for the greatest Air Force the world has ever known."

The USAF Band would like to see you while we're out on the road!  Please check http://www.usafband.af.mil/events/index.asp for times, locations, and ticket info for these tour concerts and all other U.S. Air Force Band performances. See you at the show!