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On Stage at the Hollywood Bowl

  • Published
  • By MSgt Matthew Baloun
  • USAF Band of the Golden West
July 8, 2010 --  I celebrated a truly unique Independence Day this year. For three days leading up to July Fourth, The USAF Band of the Golden West performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl Fireworks Spectacular. With featured guest and multiple Grammy Award winning country artist Vince Gill, the LA Phil and the Band of the Golden West thrilled 45,000+ audience members with 2 hours of patriotic selections, filling the evening breeze with glorious sounds, and reaffirming our pride in the American Spirit.

As musicians in the Air Force, we hold ourselves to a very high standard in our musical preparations; physically, mentally, musically - focus is the key ingredient. Our commander and conductor, Major Keith Bland, shaped our musical preparations for this event in just 2 days, proving these tenets to be true from the very first note on stage with the LA Philharmonic. With little tolerance for mistakes, Friday, July 2nd started out with a fast paced-dress rehearsal. Each musical selection billed on the program went something like this: Read through the musical selection non-stop, followed by quick observations from the conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Maestro John Morris Russell. After a "spot check" on each of his musical observations, we would move quickly to the next selection.

Each evening, the Los Angeles Air Force Base Honor Guard proudly presented the colors as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performed the National Anthem. Our participation included a tribute to all branches of the Armed Forces. Maestro Russell acknowledged the members in the audience who had a connection to military service. Active duty, Reserve, Guard, Veteran, or family members - all have sacrificed in service to liberty, freedom and the defense of our nation. Featured at the close of the first half, three of our trumpet players, MSgt Brian Wood, TSgt John Ruff and TSgt Ed Schubert were invited forward to play Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company "B", a Don Raye and Hughie Prince composition made famous by the Andrews Sisters during WWII. The audience jumped out of their seats as trumpeter TSgt John Ruff and tenor saxophonist A1C Isaac Lamar, our newest member, "shredded" some amazing solo work.

At the top of the second half, Mr. Vince Gill entertained the near capacity crowd each night. He has certainly earned each of his 20 Grammy Awards, and his musical talent blazed brightly at the Hollywood Bowl. Each performance concluded with a spectacular fireworks show timed precisely to a selection of John Philip Sousa Marches. In my 23 years as an Air Force musician, I have journeyed over 4 continents, and 32 countries, performing for literally millions of people. But I will humbly include the 2010 Independence Day celebrations with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as one of the finest. I remain inspired at the professionalism intense dedication of my fellow bandsmen. Together we stood onstage with the LA Philharmonic and created an evening of patriotism and pride filled with unforgettable memories - all through music.