BOLLING AFB, D.C. --
Summer in the City
... "it's not the heat, but the humidity" is what you often hear being said, and that may be true for the summer weather in our nation's Capital city, but throughout the summer, it's the military bands stationed in and around Washington, DC that offer up the hot music. Just about every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day you could take in a performance by one of the groups of the premier service bands making their home here. Whether on the steps of Capitol building, the Sylvan Theater by the Washington Monument, the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, or under the soaring spires of the Air Force Memorial, some of the best sounds of summer in the city are served up by military musicians.
Just a few weeks ago, my wife and I sat on the west steps of the Capitol, looking out over the expanse of the National Mall all the way to the Lincoln Memorial, watching the sun set and listening to one of the best concerts we experienced this summer. The United States Air Force Band's rock music group, "Max Impact" was doing a tribute to the 70's and they had the crowd rocking--people were up and dancing everywhere you looked. From our perch on the steps, you could watch the crowd grow and grow as the sound of the great music echoing off the building drew curious people like moths to a flame. The band's singers thoroughly energized the audience and even managed to sign autographs and give out CDs without missing a word of the lyrics or a beat of the music. As my wife and I walked back to our car after the concert, we both commented at almost the exact same time that it had been a great night .
We spent many other nights lounging or picnicking under the majestic 270-foot tall spires of the Air Force Memorial. The Memorial, located atop the high ground adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and overlooking the Pentagon, has become the primary summer concert venue for several groups from The Air Force Band. Every Wednesday and Friday night from June through August, music fills the air. We heard wonderful concert band performances led by the Band's deputy commander, Major Scott Guidry; the swinging sounds of the Airmen of Note playing the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller; were surrounded by the sumptuous sounds of the Air Force Strings as they "strolled" amongst the crowd as they played (if you've never experienced this, words alone can't capture the joy of it!); and spent an evening charmed by the charismatic Singing Sergeants. And the view from the Air Force Memorial of the fireworks launched over the city on Independence Day couldn't be beat--plenty of parking, patriotic music, and the view made for a memorable evening.
The United States Air Force's Ceremonial Brass got into the act this summer as well. People who got up early on the 4th of July and tuned into NBC's "Today" Show were treated to the sounds of the Ceremonial Brass. This was the 13th Independence Day appearance by the Brass on the show and it was evident by the backstage camaraderie between the band members and the show hosts and crew that a close bond had been formed over the years. Even the Brass's stoic drum major, Chief Master Sergeant Ed Teleky, got to loosen up a bit as he bantered on-camera with the hosts!
In mid-August, we went with friends to the Carter Barron Amphitheater in DC's Rock Creek Park and were treated to an evening of American music at the 3rd Annual Joint Service Jazz Festival featuring the Navy Commodores, the Army Blues, and the Airmen of Note. Hearing these great bands at a wonderful venue on a beautiful summer night ensures I'll be saving the date on next summer's calendar for whenever the 4th annual event is scheduled!
While you would rightly expect me to focus on the music of The United States Air Force Band, the other service bands make their presence felt in the city just as much as we do. I saw a great concert on the steps of the Capitol by the Navy Band and was really looking forward to the Army Band's annual "1812 Concert", complete with cannon accompaniment provided by the Presidential Salute Battery of The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, but it was canceled due to another Washington summer tradition--the evening thunderstorm. As I write this, I'm now looking forward to the Army Band capping off the summer concert season with their Spirit of America show in early September.
I'm blessed to be able to serve the country in my role as commander of The United States Air Force Band and all the great music I heard this summer has inspired me to get back to work, so ... I guess I'd better be "off to the note factory!"