Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Return from Fall Tour

Senior Master Sgt. Chris Moehlenkamp performs Camille Saint-Saens' "Cello Concerto in A minor." Sgt. Moehlenkamp, a native of Lynchburg, Va., was chosen to perform as a soloist for the fall 2009 tour. The Concert Band performed many standards and transcriptions, such as Aaron Copland’s "An Outdoor Overture" and Modest Mussorgsky’s "Pictures at an Exhibition." More modern works, such as John Adams’ "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine" and Ronald Foster’s "Aurora Borealis," were also featured. (Photo by SrA Tim Chacon)

Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Return from Fall Tour

Senior Master Sgt. Robin Askew McConnell performs the Queen of the Night's famous revenge aria "Der Hölle Rache" from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute".) Sgt. McConnell, who hails from Chapel Hill, N.C., also wowed audiences with her rousing rendition of "The Carnival of Venice". The audiences on the fall 2009 tour through Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia were very enthusiastic and highly receptive to the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants. Their support, as well as the marvelous work of each local sponsor, was paramount to the resounding success of the tour. (Photo by SrA Tim Chacon)

Concert Band and Singing Sergeants Return from Fall Tour

Master Sgt. Brian Sands and Chief Master Sgt. Jan Duga anchor the Concert Band from the tuba section during the Fall 2009 tour. The Concert Band performed many standards and transcriptions, such as Aaron Copland’s “An Outdoor Overture” and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”. More modern works, such as John Adams’ “A Short Ride in a Fast Machine” and Ronald Foster’s “Aurora Borealis”, were also performed on the tour. (Photo by SrA Tim Chacon)

Concert Band & Singing Sergeants Return Home!

Published Oct. 27, 2009
By Master Sgt. Brian McCurdy
The USAF Band

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- Life on the road can be many things: exciting, tedious, relaxing, and exhausting--but most of all, it is rewarding. The Fall 2009 tour audiences throughout Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia were very enthusiastic and highly receptive to the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants. Their support, as well as the marvelous work of each local sponsor, was paramount to the resounding success of the tour.

The programs featured a wide variety of music. The Concert Band performed many standards and transcriptions, such as Aaron Copland's "An Outdoor Overture" and Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." More modern works, such as John Adams' "A Short Ride in a Fast Machine" and Ronald Foster's "Aurora Borealis," were also performed on the tour.

Several soloists were highlighted during the concerts. Master Sgt. Jennifer Moore was featured in Charles Griffes "Poem for Flute," while Technical Sgt. Robert Barnes was the pianist in Richard Addinsell's "Warsaw Concerto." Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Moehlenkamp was the featured soloist in Camille Saint-Saens "Cello Concerto in A minor." Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Cox and Senior Master Sgt. Carl Long were the dueling clarinetists in Amilcare Ponchielli's "Il Covegno". The tour was a homecoming for Chief Cox, who is a native of Columbia, S.C.

The Singing Sergeants were also featured throughout the program. Senior Master Sgt. Robin Askew McConnell, who hails from Chapel Hill, N.C., performed the Queen of the Night's famous revenge aria "Der Hölle Rache" from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute".) Master Sgts. Ryan Dolan and Robert Harrelson performed a medley of songs from "City of Angels," "The Secret Garden," and "The Producers." Technical Sgt. Julia Brundage wooed the audience with "All That Jazz" from the musical "Chicago."

One of the Band's newest ensembles, Celtic Aire, performed Master Sgt. John Bliss' arrangement of "American Land." Celtic Aire will be deploying to Southwest Asia in January to perform for military members in that region.

As a chorus, the Singing Sergeants were featured in selections from the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" as well as in Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Mike Davis' "Off We Go"--the story of the Air Force Song. The Singers also performed two stirring arrangements by Technical Sgt. Ben Parks: Betsy Listenfelt's "Freedom Song" and James Taylor's "Carolina in my Mind."

The Fall 2009 Tour was a great opportunity for The USAF Band to connect on a personal level with the American public. It is with great pleasure that we represent the United States Air Force to such enthusiastic audiences. Be sure to check our website frequently--the Band will begin the Spring 2010 tour in St. Louis, Mo. stopping in various locations as we work our way back to Washington, D.C. We hope to see you at one of our performances very soon!