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Educational Outreach Mission Takes Wright-Patt Airmen Musicians to Local Classrooms

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Duncan
  • United States Air Force Band of Flight Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Audience members are accustomed to seeing the Band of Flight perform in some of the region's largest venues, especially as summer approaches and concerts move outside.

However, some of the most important performances happen in and around the Dayton community.

In an effort to strengthen connections to the local area and tell the stories of Wright-Patterson Airmen, Band of Flight members have engaged in a robust educational outreach mission since the beginning of February. Involved in the efforts are individual musicians and the Band of Flight small groups, to include Night Flight, Wright Brass, Systems Go, and the Clarinet Quartet.

"The educational outreach mission offers the Band of Flight another avenue for building partnerships in the local community," said Band of Flight Commander 1st Lt. Daniel Boothe. "These events can have a direct, positive impact on potential Air Force recruits, and can even make connections with younger students that reach deeper into the lives of the community".

In one example, the members of the Clarinet Quartet recently showed students at Charity Adams Early Academy for Girls how to properly show respect for the flag during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Within the context of a professional musical experience, the group regularly teaches similar simple acts of patriotism to its younger audiences.

The versatility of the educational outreach groups allows the band to tailor its teaching objectives to specific age groups. Older students receive more formal musical interaction coupled with messaging tied directly to Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) objectives. As a result, these events can have far-reaching positive impacts on Air Force recruiting and general community support for Air Force programs.

Master Sgt. Joshua Fedele, saxophone, recently used this approach in solo appearances across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. At the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, Ky., Sergeant Fedele gave a master class to young musicians. Besides providing career advice for aspiring musicians, Sergeant Fedele was also able to provide firsthand insight into life in the Air Force.

Another unique benefit of the educational outreach mission is the opportunity for area students to play alongside some of the region's finest musicians. On a recent tour to Michigan, members of the music program at Grand Rapids Community College had the chance to "sit in" with Band of Flight members, learning firsthand the level of musicianship required of our Airman musicians.

This spring, the Band of Flight educational outreach groups will bring more than 25 performances to schools across Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

The Band of Flight educational outreach mission is ongoing and may be coming soon to a learning institution near you. For more information about booking an educational outreach concert, please visit http://www.bandofflight.af.mil.

For more information about upcoming performances by the United States Air Force Band of Flight, visit www.bandofflight.af.mil and click the "Appearances" tab.

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For concert videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, check out the Band of Flight YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/bandofflight