A1C Pickar serves as a Drummer in the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. The 60-member unit, composed of seven musical ensembles, performs more than 350 missions annually throughout a ten-state area of responsibility as an ambassador of the Air Force and Air Mobility Command. The unit’s mission is to honor our nation and its military, inspire and invigorate the resiliency of Airmen and their families, and connect with both the American public and vital regional and national partners to build trust and advocate for our nation’s strategic defense priorities.
A native of Wausau, WI, A1C David Pickar is a graduate of Lawrence University where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance (Jazz Emphasis) and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 2023. He began his military career as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force Band in 2023, serving as a Drummer of the Band of Mid-America. Prior to his current position, he was a contributing writer to The Lawrentian, a concert logistician, and percussion repair specialist at Lawrence University.
A1C Pickar has performed as a featured marimba soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Lakeshore Wind Ensemble, and Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program (CWYSOP), and as a drummer founded a collegiate swing-dance band called the “LarryU Lindy-Hoppers.” After studying abroad in Puerto Rico, he co-directed the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble (Tambo Toke) his senior year and presented the folkloric music of Bomba and Plena during student and department concerts. This initiative culminated in a combined concert with Jazz Band and Tambo Toke with featured guest artists Victor “Vitito” Emmanueli-Náter and Jeanitza Avilés Calderón. He won his position with the United States Air Force Regional Bands in 2022, and he currently performs with the USAF Band of Mid-America at Scott AFB, IL.
EDUCATION
2023 - Bachelor of Music, Percussion Performance (Jazz Emphasis), Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
2023 – Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
ASSIGNMENTS
June 2023 – August 2023, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
August 2023 – Present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air and Space Training Ribbon
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
Member, Percussive Arts Society
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class - 20 June 2023
(Current as of June 2024)