Air Force Academy Band’s Falconaires Mentor Students through Musical Diversity

The Falconaires jazz big band works with students from Hinkley High School from Aurora, Colorado. Students spent the morning learning about musical stylings from, and playing next to, the full-time professional bandsmen from the United States Air Force Academy Band. They also learned about careers and educational opportunities available in the Air Force, and were able to see firsthand the core value of excellence being portrayed by the members of the Falconaires.

Air Force Academy Band’s Falconaires Mentor Students through Musical Diversity

Published March 30, 2011
By Master Sergeant Steven Przyzycki
The United States Air Force Academy Band

Colorado Springs, Colorado -- On Friday, March 25, 2011 your United States Air Force Academy Band's legendary jazz ensemble the "Falconaires," conducted clinics for young student musicians from Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado. The outreach provided mentoring and information on educational opportunities at the Air Force Academy, as well as awareness of the many career choices in our United States Air Force.

"The kids are so excited to be here," said Hinkley H.S. Band Director Phil Emery. "This experience motivates them to want to practice and gets them thinking about career choices after graduation ... it is fabulous."

"I answered a myriad of questions about the many different career choices in the Air Force," added Technical Sergeant Sarah Stewart, the band's Educational Outreach Non Commissioned Officer in Charge. "Many of the kids are surprised at all the choices ... sometimes there is that misconception that there are only pilots serving in the Air Force."

Falconaires music director Master Sergeant Scott Crump said, "The other great thing about this is it introduces the kids to the variety of music we play. This parallels the rich diversity found throughout our Air Force ... it is what makes us the greatest air, space, and cyber-space force the world has ever known."

The day included performances by the Falconaires and coaching during performances by the Hinkley High School jazz band. The bands also collaborated in a mass "side by side" performance to allow individual mentoring by the members of the Academy Band.

"Educational Outreach has always been one of the main objectives of the Air Force Academy Band," said Lieutenant Colonel Larry H. Lang, Commander of the United States Air Force Academy Band. "We do this all over the country ... it affords us the ability to deliver the Air Force message to some of the most diverse locations across the nation, and helps us honor the young men and women at our Academy studying to be leaders of character. This was an outstanding endeavor for us to continue to exemplify the excellence found throughout your United States Air Force."