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Academy Band Awarded Howard Citation by John Philip Sousa Foundation

  • Published
  • By MSgt Steven M. Przyzycki
  • The USAF Academy Band
The USAF Academy, CO --  The New Year has started out with great kudos for your United States Air Force Academy Band. In late January of 2009, The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the "Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands" to the Academy Band. This international award is the highest honor that any military concert band can receive. All applicants are required to meet very specific and rigorous eligibility criteria resulting in a very competitive process. 

Colonel (ret) George S. Howard, for whom the citation is named, served as Commander and Conductor of The USAF Band in Washington D.C. from 1944 to 1963. He was elected president of the American Bandmasters Association in 1956 and became an honorary life member in 1984. From 1986, he served as honorary life president until his death in 1995. Howard's dedication to the very best in Concert Band performance reflects the true meaning of this mot prestigious honor. Colonel (ret) Lowell E. Graham, Chairman of the Citation of Musical Excellence Committee of The John Philip Sousa Foundation congratulated Commander Lt Col Larry H. Lang and the Academy Band. "The committee fully recognizes that this organization reflects the highest core values of the United States Air Force through excellence of all content requirements. The USAF Academy Band is to be commended for its outstanding work for not only the United States Air Force, but the United States military," stated Colonel Graham. 

The package submitted included recordings of the band from the past year, and several DVD selections from live performances as well as from the "Summon the Heroes" project produced for Veteran's Day by SMSgt Larry Hill, Superintendent of the band's Public Affairs. Adjudicating took place at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago in late December of 2008. "The Howard Citation is a great honor, and it was a great finish to a great year. This past year was full of triumphs for the Academy Band as it told the Air Force story throughout the nation with unwavering dedication to our Air Force and to our country," stated SMSgt Hill. Expect to hear more great things from your Academy Band. We are proud of this distinct honor. It is great to be recognized for our accomplishments.