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Academy Band Tour Continues Deep in the Heart of Texas

  • Published
  • By MSgt Steven M. Przyzycki
  • The USAF Academy Band
Texas City, TX --  Your United States Air Force Academy Band continued their Spring Tour here tonight, performing a wide variety of musical selections that exemplified the diversity and excellence that can be found throughout all facets of the United States Air Force.
Commander Lieutenant Colonel Larry H. Lang led the band through vigorous selections that celebrated the great cosmopolitan fabric of our American culture. The band's woodwind section was highlighted in the classic Percy Grainger favorite, "Molly on the Shore." A crowd pleaser was Roberto Sierra's infectious, grooved "Tumbao" from his "Sinfonia No. 3, La Salsa."

Spotlighted soloists included Senior Master Sergeant Steven Kindermann and Master Sergeant Tim Allums performing the classic "tour de force" of all trumpet/cornet solos, Herbert L. Clarke's "Carnival of Venice." Their duet version of this gem was nothing short of world class! Technical Sergeants Nancy Poffenbarger and Crissy Saalborn brought a night at the opera to Texas City, singing the duet "The Flower Song" from Leo Delibes' famous opera "Lakme."

The Air Force Academy Band's Education Outreach Program under the direction of Non Commissioned Office in Charge, Technical Sergeant Nancy Poffenbarger affords young music students the rare opportunity to perform with the band. Selected students that performed on the stirring march, "The Daughters of Texas," were Mickell Holmes and Jorge Guiterrez Jr. from Texas City H.S., Tyesha Francis, Crystal Josey and Tirenn Turner from LaMarque H.S. and Namunn Batbayer, Ariel Jimenez and Gabriela Morillo from Ball H.S. in Galveston, Texas.

The concert's second half showcased the talents of the Academy Band singers in a rousing production entitled "The Dames of Broadway." Famous songs and dance numbers from the best musicals to ever appear in the theater were presented to the crowds delight. The concert concluded with a salute to our veterans and the fine young men and women serving throughout our military today.