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Celtic Aire to Deploy

  • Published
  • By Master Sgts. Brian McCurdy and Matthew Irish
  • The USAF Band
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  Celtic Aire, comprised of four members of the Singing Sergeants, will deploy to forward locations overseas in December. The group has been in existence since 2007, and has been featured at the White House, as well as at diplomatic dinners around the National Capitol Region. This is the first deployment for Celtic Aire.

As part of the performance, each member alternates singing and playing traditional instruments. For instance, Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage, a founding member of Celtic Aire, might start a tune playing the penny whistle, then pick up a Bodhran (Irish drum), and end the song as lead vocalist.

Sgt. Brundage has always enjoyed the sounds of Celtic music and wanted to find a way to perform it in her primary job in The U.S. Air Force Band. "I've always enjoyed earthy, grass-roots folk music that you can really tap your foot to."

Along with Sgt. Brundage, other members of the group include Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan, and Technical Sgts. Joseph Haughton and Emily Lewis.

"This ensemble has really given me a chance to grow as a musician and learn new instruments and styles," said Sgt. Haughton, Celtic Aire's guitarist and vocalist.

Deployments are not a new concept for The Air Force Band. Other groups sent overseas for troop morale performances include Max Impact and the Airmen of Note.

The four performing members of Celtic Aire will not be traveling alone. Also deploying are Senior Master Sgt. Deb Volker and Master Sgts. Mike Ryan and Mark Hannah.

Sgt. Volker, a member of the Air Force Strings, will deploy as the NCOIC of the group. Sgt. Ryan, The Air Force Band's Director of Tours, will act as the Superintendent of the AF Central Command Operations. Sgt. Mark Hannah, the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants' Audio Engineer, will deploy as Celtic Aire's Audio Engineer.

Celtic Aire will deploy for two months beginning in mid-December. We wish them safe travel, and we look forward to their return in mid-March 2010.