Airman First Class Andrew Szymanek plays trumpet with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America. He performs with the concert band, and the Airlifter Brass Quintet. He joined the band in October 2017. Aside from his involvement with the Air Force Band, he acts as an Associate Musician in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Originally from Naperville, IL, A1C Szymanek finished his Bachelor of Music Performance degree at Northern Illinois University in 2013. He then went on to complete his Master of Music Performance degree at DePaul University in 2016. While in school at DePaul University, he had the opportunity to work as a busy freelancer in the Chicago area. Most notably, he had a chance to act as a substitute and extra musician in the Lyric Opera Orchestra of Chicago. He has held principal positions with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra in Naperville, IL as well as the Wheaton Municipal Band in Wheaton, IL. He has gotten the chance to play under the baton of such well-known conductors as Colonel Tim Foley, Colonel Michael J. Colburn, and Colonel John R. Bourgeois of the US Marine Band, Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel and Colonel Larry Lang of the US Air Force Band, and Sir Andrew Davis of the Chicago Lyric Opera. Other groups in which he has performed as regular member or substitute include the West Suburban Symphony, FullScore Chamber Orchestra, Gargoyle Brass, the Pete Ellman Big Band, and the Rob Parton Big Band.
EDUCATION
2013 Bachelor of Music Performance degree, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
2016 Master of Music Performance degree, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
ASSIGNMENTS
July 2017-September 2017, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
October 2017-Present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
AWARDS:
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Basic Training Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal