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A Military Musician: An Interview With Flutist and U.S. Senior Master Sergeant Sandra Tiemens

  • Published
  • By Deborah S. Ray
  • Colorado Flutiest
Thornton, CO --  While many flutists describe high points in their music careers as performing in a particular concert hall, performing with a particular orchestra, ensemble, or flutist, or--for most of us--mastering a particular piece that once seemed a lifetime away, Colorado flutist Sandra Tiemens offers a much different answer: "Performing for U.S. troops and local communities in Qatar, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Oman, and Bahrain."

Tiemens is one of 53 active-duty musicians with the United States Air Force Academy Band stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. The mission of the USAF Bands is to achieve public affairs objectives for the USAF, which includes supporting troop morale, community relations, and recruiting through performances. The USAF Academy Band has several ensembles--among them, Rampart Winds, Marching Band, and Concert Band, in which Tiemens performs.

Tiemens, a USAF veteran of 15 years, is a Senior Master Sergeant and serves as First Sergeant for the USAF Academy Band, which is a "managerial and leadership" position where her responsibilities include being a liaison between members of the organization and the Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Don Schofield. "I also help members of our unit with various quality of life issues, such as housing, healthcare, fitness, and disciplinary issues."

Some of her daily duties as a musician are much like those for flutists in civilian organizations: "My days are filled with rehearsals, performances, meetings, practice time, and fitness activities. Each day is slightly different depending on upcoming performances." Also in common with flutists in civilian music organizations, Tiemens has served in various capacities including "working auditions, serving as music librarian, and scheduling [organizational needs]."

Tiemens notes that the USAF Academy Band is also similar to civilian bands in that they "constantly look for new ways to attract audience members, perform contemporary band literature, and are comprised of highly qualified musicians from music schools across the country." And like many civilian music organizations, the USAF Academy Band has experienced budget cuts; however, Tiemens said they are still able to complete their missions on behalf of the USAF.

Tiemens notes some key differences, however, between USAF Bands and civilian music organizations. "We wear uniforms to work, we have very specific missions for the Air Force, we play patriotic music, and we have administrative duties to support the operation of the band." Tiemens further described that they "must maintain dress, appearance, and fitness standards," in addition to attending Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

"We go on tour five to six times per year," she said. "Each tour is between five and ten days long," she continued, adding that she's had the opportunity to travel to 48 states. And, of course, her travels to the Middle East.

Of her deployment to the Middle East, Tiemens commented, "I was nervous at first, but...it ended up being the experience of a lifetime," noting that the many interesting people she met and the many different cultures she learned about were key.

What was the deployed mission, specifically?
Air Force Bands deploy in support of Air Force Central Command, located in Southwest Asia. The Air Force band career field sends different sizes and types of groups from the 10 active duty bands located at various military installations in the United States, Germany, and Japan. The deployment ensembles traditionally have between 5-10 members. These groups are tasked to entertain the troops, support embassy initiatives, and present a positive U.S. image to the local community members and leaders throughout the Middle East.

What were the performances and venues like?
I performed in a wide array of performance venues including elaborate concert halls in Turkmenistan, schools throughout the Middle East, and outdoor venues on U.S. military installations throughout the region. I especially enjoyed working with U.S. Embassy personnel in several countries. We were provided with personnel including a liaison and translator to help us to communicate better with our audiences. We performed joint concerts with both military and civilian local musicians. We performed for many students throughout our travels. In return, we were often treated to short concerts by our hosts. We were exposed to new instruments and new languages.

How did the audiences respond?
The audiences responded in many different ways. Many of our audience members had never met Americans. We worked both as musicians and diplomats, building relationships throughout the region. Most of our audiences were very receptive to us as people and as performers. Often, we were met with resistance or skepticism at the beginning of the performances and left after the performances having forged new friendships and opened doors for better foreign relations. In many cases, we were treated like "rock stars" or special guests. We had the opportunity to sample local food, hear traditional music, and see the local markets.

What differences did you make in the lives of the communities and troops you performed for?
When we performed for troops, we often gave them an opportunity to "sit in" with the group. We also spent time talking to the troops before and after the concerts to boost their morale and bring a piece of home to them. Some of the military members had been deployed for a long time and needed a form of stress relief and relaxation.

The bands also play a significant role in international relations. When we performed for civilians in the local communities, we presented a peaceful arm of the military, otherwise known as "soft power." Often, when Air Force bands perform in the deployed environment, significant progress is made on the diplomatic front. The bands are frequently capable of pushing the Air Force mission forward when more traditional methods have failed.

How did the mission affect you--as a flutist, musician, and person?
I was reluctant to deploy to the Middle East due to possible dangers and separation from my husband and daughter (who at the time was about 1 ½ years old). I was away from home for about three months. Fortunately, my husband and extended family took great care of my daughter.

In retrospect, I can honestly say the deployment was a tremendous experience for me. It helped break down any stereotypes I had about other parts of the world. I was also forced to operate outside of my comfort zone. We often had to make programming decisions moments before the performance started. The schedule was constantly changing due to travel by military airlift and other factors beyond our control. I decided early in the deployment to be as flexible as possible and help in whatever ways I could. In general, I like to have a lot of preparation time and like to have the schedule solidified far in advance, so this was a new way of thinking for me. I also tried to enjoy the cultures around me and appreciate the new travel experiences, while also gaining a greater appreciation for all my family and friends waiting for me at home. As a listener, I learned to appreciate music from all over the world. As a performer, I devoted more energy to the "entertainment" factor in my performances. Especially with the language barrier, it was important to reach our audiences with the conviction and enthusiasm of our performances.

What advice would you give young flutists as far as preparing for a career in the Air Force Academy Band?
I would recommend that young musicians stay open-minded as much as possible. Jobs in music are hard to find. Consider benefits, stability, and quality of life when pursuing music jobs.

How would a musician become part of the Air Force Academy Band?
Openings in Air Force bands are generally advertised in the International Musician and various media outlets such as www.MusicalChairs.com. We also have Facebook and Twitter pages to share information about upcoming job opportunities and performances. The band's Web site also lists this information and has sample audio files. The cdbaby.com Web site offers several free recordings of The USAF Academy Band, including a recent recording by Rampart Winds, entitled Sonata in Blue, featuring my recent woodwind quintet arrangement of Howard Hanson's Serenade.

The audition process for the band generally involves sending a recording and resume for an advertised opening. Next, a select few are chosen for a live audition in Colorado Springs. The live audition consists of prepared excerpts, sight-reading, and sitting in with members of The USAF Academy Band. If offered a position, the candidate will then need to meet with a recruiter and meet all standards to join the U.S. Air Force.