BOLLING AFB, D.C. - ... to a New Year -- Well ... we've put away the 2009 calendar and started in on 2010. So much opportunity lies ahead when you look at the January page and it's easy to dream about all things we'll do now that the New Year has arrived. Diets have started and the gym is more crowded now that everyone's New Year's resolutions have kicked into high gear. So many new things are happening just because we turned the page on the calendar.
The Air Force Band is no different. There are so many opportunities awaiting us just around the corner in 2010. Deployments, concerts, shows, ceremonies, chamber music, tours, TDYs, broadcasts and recording sessions to name a few.
Just before we said farewell to 2009, six of our Band family headed out on a deployment to Southwest Asia. They'll spend the next several months crisscrossing that part of the world bringing a little bit of home to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are also deployed doing some very serious, tough work on behalf of our country. If in any small way our musicians brighten their day, then we've accomplished our mission. I'm sure future editions of Cadenza will report on their adventures. We're extremely proud of the contributions of all our Air Force Band members, active duty and Air National Guard, who've been "over there" constantly for the past six years.
Another season of Guest Artist Concerts is approaching soon, too. In February, The Air Force Band will welcome Melinda Doolittle (of American Idol fame) for a concert entitled "Hearts, Heroes and Heritage". March brings The Canadian Brass in for "It Might as Well be Swing!" Should be fun! Concert tours will see the Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, Airmen of Note and the Air Force Strings performing in the central part of the country early in the year and in the northeastern states later in the year. Summer concerts at the Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Capitol will run from June through August. Watch for the ads for the Gala Opening Concert at the Air Force Memorial in early June.
2010 will also see The Air Force Band making a number of recordings--all of our groups get in the act. The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will be in the studio early in the year working on a flying-themed recording followed by a recording session in June for new band music. The Airmen of Note are compiling a recording chronicling their six decades of making great American jazz music. The Strolling Strings are on deck to record the 2010 holiday CD--so while everyone else is enjoying the spring cherry blossoms here in Washington, the Strings will be in the studio playing melodies associated with cold and snow! The Ceremonial Brass has put their unique stamp on patriotic songs that we're eager to share with you and Max Impact has audio and video recording projects already underway. Keep watching our website for the release of Max Impact's new video of their "Locked and Loaded" song--I guarantee you won't forget it once you've seen it!
Also in 2010, The Air Force Band will celebrate the 65th Anniversary of The Singing Sergeants and the 60th Anniversary of The Airmen of Note. The Singing Sergeants, originally drawn from members of the band, has grown into one of the most respected professional vocal ensembles in the world and its current members and alumni are the best in the business. Plans are being made for a Singing Sergeant Alumni Weekend this summer, so keep your eye out for that announcement. Formed in 1950 to carry on the Glenn Miller tradition, the Airmen of Note has forged a 60-year legacy second to none. We'll celebrate their anniversary in September during the Jazz Heritage Series.
Even though we're looking ahead to 2010 with excitement and anticipation, it wasn't too many days ago we were toasting the New Year with the refrain of Auld Lang Syne. The beauty of that song is the simultaneous welcoming of the New Year while reflecting back on the year just past. For us in The Air Force Band, looking back on 2009 makes us fondly remember the people who left our ranks during the past year. Colonel Dennis Layendecker, Chief Master Sergeant Betsy Campeau, Chief Master Sergeant Dave Nokes, Chief Master Sergeant Kelly Egan, Senior Master Sergeant Bob Connelly, Senior Master Sergeant Rob Mesite, Senior Master Sergeant Lindsey Smith, Master Sergeant Andy Cleaver, Master Sergeant Rich Drew and Master Sergeant Ryan Haines all retired from the Air Force after many years of faithful and honorable service to the country. Master Sergeant Amy Dolan, Technical Sergeant Chris Wilson and Technical Sergeant Michael Mason separated from the Air Force: Amy's enjoying being with her family full-time, Chris accepted a university faculty position and Michael had new opportunities waiting for him in civilian life. All of them left a lasting contribution to The Air Force Band and we are all better for their being here.
Wow ... looks like we've got our 2010 plate full already and it's just January! I'd better get going and make my way "off to the note factory!"