28 Jan 2010 -- "Fantastic!" "We loved it!" "You could have played all night!" Those are but a few of the comments from the 2,400 audience members at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) after two Holiday concerts this past December. The performances featured the musicians of the USAF Band of Flight (AFBF) led by Major R. Michael Mench, commander, and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) under the direction of Mr. Patrick Reynolds, assistant conductor. This partnership between Dayton's two large, professional, music ensembles has afforded nine concerts to 13,000 Miami Valley residents over the past seven years, beginning a collaboration that has enhanced both the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Dayton communities. It stands as a shining example of the symbiotic relationship between the United States Air Force and its local communities.
The Air Force needs the expertise of local industry, a viable civilian work-force and the support of the American public to ensure its mission success. In cities and towns throughout the United States, military personnel and their families are woven into the fabric of the communities they live in. They work, go to school, train, volunteer, and buy goods and services, adding immensely to the local quality of life. Wright-Patterson's Capt. Kristin Daniel is a medical intern at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. She is enthusiastic about the training she is receiving at "the Valley" stating, "The diversity of patients and medical conditions I manage is extremely valuable and not available at most military medical facilities. In return, the hospital receives additional, motivated, responsible workers from the military. Both sides benefit!"
The AFBF and DPO collaboration was the brainchild of then commander Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs and DPO musical director Neal Gittleman in 2003 during the Centennial of Flight Celebration. This observance held special meaning for the Dayton area because of the Wright Brothers' extensive ties to the Miami Valley; they accomplished the majority of their aeronautical research at Huffman Prairie located adjacent to Wright-Patterson AFB. The groups jointly commissioned a work by American composer Ronald Foster entitled "On the Wings of Angels" that brought both the band and orchestra to the newly built Schuster Performing Arts Center. Colonel Sierichs remembers, "The concert was a great success! Playing at the Schuster Center was a thrill and many friendships were forged." He continued, "The city of Dayton and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are forever linked by their shared history. It only made sense that the DPO, NMUSAF and the AFBF have a robust relationship with each other. It's about uniting Dayton's people and culture through music."
Recently the Band of Flight augmented its horn section with Mr. Sean Vore, a regular performer with the DPO. Tech. Sgt. Kristen TenWolde, AFBF horn section leader, was enthusiastic in her praise of Sean as a music professional. "He fit into the section exceptionally well and helped us communicate Air Force excellence to 6,000 Indiana citizens. Sean was enthusiastic in helping the AFBF achieve its Public Affairs mission of winning the hearts and minds of the American public." She continued, "Since meeting Sean, communication between the two sections has improved, bolstering both ensembles." This sharing of talent goes both ways. AFBF trumpeter Tech. Sgt. Eric Knorr is a regular substitute with the DPO and former Band of Flight percussionist and Air Force veteran Gerald Noble is a current member of the DPO.
This past October the AFBF's saxophone section was featured with the DPO on their Super Pops concert, Benny Goodman's Big Band Birthday Bash. The team of local industry (the DPO), military (the AFBF) and civilian expertise (jazz clarinet virtuoso Ken Peplowski) delivered an event that none could have alone. It was an evening that will not be soon forgotten by the standing room audience at Dayton's Schuster Center. Whether talking about weapons systems development, intelligence analysis and yes even music, the former commander of the Air Force Material Command, Gen (ret) Bruce Carlson, got it right when he wrote, "Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Dayton continue to thrive because of the partnership with local industry and our civilian workforce, many of whom are veterans."