USAF Band's Ceremonial Brass perform in NYC

NBC "Today" Show hosts Lester Holt and Natalie Morales interview Chief Master Sgt. Ed Teleky, drum major and noncommissioned officer in charge of the U.S. Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass, July 4th during a live broadcast from Rockefeller Plaza in New York. The Ceremonial Brass has performed annually on the show since 1998. Both Holt and Morales are children of career Airmen.

Ceremonial Brass Celebrates 10th Year on "Today" Show

Published Aug. 18, 2008
By MSgt Brian McCurdy
USAF Band

BOLLING AFB, DC -- In what has become an annual tradition, the USAF Band Ceremonial Brass performed on NBC's "Today" Show on July 4th in honor of Independence Day. This year was the 10th appearance the band made on the broadcast, and for many members, it was pleasantly familiar territory.

"The opportunity to represent the United States Air Force in front of millions of Americans was such an exhilarating experience," said Chief Master Sgt. Ed Teleky, Drum Major of the Ceremonial Brass. "Each year our performance on the 'Today' show on our nation's birthday never loses its excitement."

The band performed several live segments throughout the broadcast. At one point, "Today" show hosts Lester Holt and Natalie Morales interviewed Chief Teleky. They asked about the history of our Drum Major's hat. "I had the opportunity to explain its origination in the early 1900s as an authentic Sable Royal Guardsman's hat," the Chief said.

During another segment, the Ceremonial Brass performed Master Sgt. Kent Baker's arrangement of "America the Beautiful." The broadcast was seen by an estimated 17 million people.

While one of the missions of the Ceremonial Brass is to pay final respects to fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery, they also proudly represent the United States Air Force to the American public and to the world through this and other community relations performances.