Meet the Concert Band's newest member Published Sept. 1, 2015 By Master Sgt. Jake McCray Washington, D.C. -- It's been nearly a year since the Concert Band welcomed its newest member, Technical Sgt. Kaitlin Taylor to the ensemble. A much welcomed and heralded addition, Taylor's presence on oboe brings our double reed section to full strength - a status not fully realized for more than three years. Her presence rounds out the section to three oboes (one doubling on English horn) and two bassoons. With the addition of Taylor, the concert band can now support two separate woodwind quintets for recitals and protocol missions. Having been in the Concert Band for a year (and in the Air Force for nearly two years), Taylor has had a chance to adjust to The U.S. Air Force Band and life within the National Capital Region. I had a chance to meet with her and asked her to reflect upon the past year. JM: Can you tell us your background, where you are from and where you went to college? KT: I'm from Henderson, Kentucky. For my undergraduate degree, I went to the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and studied at the Yale School of Music for my master's degree in music. JM: When in school, what type of job were you hoping for? Did you ever hear of or consider a Military band? KT: I was always aware that the military bands were a solid a career option for classically trained musicians. I would take all of the job auditions I could afford when I was in school whether it was orchestra or military band. Like most musicians, I would have taken just about any full-time playing (and paying!) gig. In school I primarily performed in orchestra and chamber ensembles, so I think that's what I had envisioned myself doing. And I was really excited when I found out that the Air Force Band has orchestra and an entire chamber music series in addition to the Concert Band. JM: You came from the Air Force Academy Band; how would you compare your experience at these two disparate locations? KT: I have loved both assignments. The Academy Band is less than half of the size of The U.S. Air Force Band, so the musicians wear many hats performing in various settings and ensembles. As a member of the Concert Band, Academy Winds, and the Marching Band, I played oboe, English horn, saxophone, percussion and even sang! A big difference here at the Air Force Band is that the Concert Band is my primary performing ensemble, and I am also in the Woodwind Quintet. Also, the Band is huge with almost 180 members and I am still getting to know people around the squadron! JM: Having joined the band nearly a year ago, what has this year been like for you? KT: This year has been a big adjustment. My first year at the Academy Band was during sequestration and I didn't experience a tour until the end of my time there. I have enjoyed going on tour with this band a number of trips already during my time here so far. It is a chance for the ensemble to play together night after night and really come together as a group. JM: What do you like the most about performing in The U.S. Air Force Band? KT: I am very fortunate and grateful to be performing in this ensemble. My colleagues are true professionals, and I am regularly impressed and inspired by the musical talents in this organization. We play a very wide range of music, from Broadway and opera to patriotic marches and everything in between, much of which I had never played before joining the Air Force. It's been a lot of fun working on genres and styles of music that I am less familiar with. JM: The oboe is a double reed instrument, and as part of your craft you must make your own reeds from scratch. How does the climate in the D.C. Metro area affect this process versus Colorado Springs? KT: Colorado Springs is an especially dry area, and I found it much harder to get my reeds to "behave" 6,300 feet above sea level. The climate here is much closer to what I am used to making reeds in, so I was very happy to have a more expected and typical outcome. That being said, like any oboist would tell you, I am always trying to make a better reed! JM: What other hobbies or interests do you have, that you'd like to share with our audience? KT: Outside of music I enjoy hiking, running and training for races, cooking and reading. We are very excited to welcome Sgt. Taylor into The U.S. Air Force Band. If you'd like to hear her perform and meet her and others in person, please check our website for upcoming Concert Band and chamber ensemble performances in your local area. New performance venues are being added frequently, and we might be just around the corner in your backyard very shortly!