Memorial Day concerts: Honor the Fallen

Published April 27, 2017
By Chief Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz

Washington, D.C. -- As the United States Air Force celebrates 70 years of service, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend celebrates the rich history that is the U.S. Air Force and honors seven decades of service and sacrifice by those Airmen who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

Six performing ensembles will participate in events commemorating Memorial Day throughout the National Capital Region and across the country this coming Memorial Day weekend.

The events kick off with two concerts on Friday, May 26. Celtic Aire will bring their unique blend of Celtic, folk and pop music to Fort Washington, MD at the National Harbor Plaza at 7 p.m. The Airmen of Note is headed south to Savannah, GA where they will perform on the campus of Armstrong State University at the Fine Arts Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m.

You'll find four opportunities to attend U.S. Air Force Band events on Saturday, May 27. The first features the U.S. Air Force Symphony Orchestra in the National Memorial Day Choral Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, which begins at 2 p.m. This concert is presented in partnership with Music Celebrations International and The American Veterans Center. The program pays special tribute to America's military and our fallen heroes.

The Airmen of Note heads to Florida where they'll be featured at the Jacksonville Jazz Fest. They are scheduled to play at 7 p.m. and the program includes both new and classic big band repertoire.

Max Impact also travels south to Miami where they will perform as part of the National Salute to America's Heroes festival. The two day salute pays tribute, honors and encourages both military and first responder heroes. Celtic Aire will be back at the National Harbor in Fort Washington, MD for an encore performance beginning at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, May 28, Max Impact performs for a second day in Miami as a featured performer for the National Salute to America's Heroes festival. They will share the stage with some of America's top entertainers in what the festival planners call a musical explosion. The weekend also includes an air show and fireworks display.

The Singing Sergeants will once again be part of the National Memorial Day concert, which airs live on PBS at 8 p.m. This award-winning television event is one of the highest-rated programs on public television and honors the military service and sacrifice of all the men and women in uniform, their families and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants are proud to participate in the 149th annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America's fallen military service members on Monday, May 29 at Arlington National Cemetery. The performance includes the prelude to the memorial service and begins at 10:30. It is open to the public and seating is first-come, first-served.

The Singing Sergeants wrap up the weekend with a final performance at the National Harbor in Fort Washington, MD.

Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsman who gave their lives to secure our freedoms.

For complete concert information, please visit our events calendar. All outdoor concerts are subject to weather cancellation. For cancellation updates, follow us on Twitter @USAFBand and Facebook at The U.S. Air Force Band. For more information, please visit our homepage at www.usafband.af.mil or call the concert line at 202-767-5658.