Second Lieutenant Benjamin Andrew “Drew” Eary serves as Flight Commander and Associate Conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Lt Eary assists the Commander in leading 60 Airmen in performances and engagements throughout a 7-state area of responsibility, including affiliated US territories. He has led tours and performances across the Southern United States, programming messaging and performances for the Band of the West to inspire and connect with the American public. He also has represented the USAF in diplomatic and ceremonial missions both at home and in partnership with the Argentinian Air Force in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Originally from Peoria, Arizona, Lt. Eary received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Master of Music in Conducting from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from The University of Arizona. His conducting teachers are Professor Jerry Junkin, Dr. Jamie L. Nix, Professor Jay C. Rees, and Professor Gregg Hanson. Before pursuing graduate studies, Lt Eary was proudly the first Director of Bands at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Lt Eary has appeared as a featured guest conductor with the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, the Austin Brass Collective, and as a clinician for region honor bands and ensembles in multiple states. He was also a Conducting Fellow for the H. Robert Reynolds Conducting Institute at the 75th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois and was named a finalist for the 2021 American Prize in Conducting. Lt Eary is active as a transcriber and arranger, conducting the premiere of his transcription of the Wind Band version of Maria Sigfusdottir’s Grammy-nominated “Oceans” in 2023.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2024 - September 2024, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2. October 2024 - Present, Flight Commander, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2014 Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance, The University of Arizona, Ariz.
2021 Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting, Columbus State University, Ga.
2024 Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
2024 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 26 September 2024