The Band of Mid-America introduces its newest ensemble – “Freedom Winds.” Published March 7, 2013 By SrA Carmen Emborski AMC/BA 3/7/2013 -- 3/6/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - The Band of Mid-America introduces its newest ensemble - "Freedom Winds." A quintet of Airmen musicians including flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn, this second woodwind quintet doubles the potential of the Band of Mid-America's engagement of audiences in ways that other ensembles - concert band, rock band, jazz ensembles - cannot. "Freedom Winds," led by NCOIC and clarinetist TSgt Kim Miller, provides Air Mobility Command additional performance flexibility as they engage both military and civilian audiences throughout the band's ten-state area of responsibility. Capable of performing any genre - from New Orleans' Second Line to 20th Century classical repertoire, to Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me, Maybe"--"Freedom Winds" is off to a great start. Amanda Larson, a seventh grade band student from Mascoutah, IL gushed following a special "Freedom Winds" performance on February 28th. "A woodwind quintet from the Air Force played in my class today and my friends could NOT stop talking about how AWESOME they were!" Through wind quintets, Airmen musicians can connect with incredibly diverse audiences; children at schools who are experiencing the instruments in person for the first time, university and academic populations, veterans and American patriots enjoying Americana and military marches. TSgt Miller explains the unique ability of the wind quintet, "We have a very small footprint - no audio gear and minimal setup - so we can play at smaller venues within communities. It allows us to have a large interaction with audience members - we really make a one-on-one connection with them that allows them to share their personal stories." "Freedom Winds" joins the Band of Mid-America's ensembles to showcase the excellence, professionalism and legacy of the United States Air Force. An integral part of the Air Force family, "Freedom Winds" provides the power of music to inspire immediate, positive and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States in the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.