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Don’t wait until the summer is gone!

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan
Washington, D.C. --  The dog days of summer are coming to a hazy end, and soon the first cool breezes of autumn will blow through the concrete canyons of Washington. Before long we'll be cursing the bitter cold and wishing for just one more day of the 95 degree heat and sweltering humidity that we're complaining about now.

But, before that inevitable turn occurs, there will be some lovely late-summer nights in the D.C. metro area, and the members of your United States Air Force Band have an excellent idea regarding how to best spend them - with us, of course!

Our 2015 Summer Concert Series has just a few performances left, but they promise to be some of the most entertaining of the season. The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will be featured on Aug. 14 at the Air Force Memorial with a show celebrating "The Greatest Generation," featuring music from or related to the World War II era.  Selections include music by Artie Shaw, Robert Russell Bennett and John Williams, and tunes such as "Bugle Call Rag," "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "It's Only a Paper Moon." The music we've programmed is so cool you might need a blanket! Also on Aug. 14, a commemorative wreath laying and historic aircraft flyover will take place beginning at 7:45 p.m.  This performance honoring our World War II veterans will be repeated on Tuesday, Aug. 18 on the west side of the Capitol building and Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Sylvan Theater (on the grounds of the Washington Monument), but the wreath laying and flyover will only take place at the 14 Aug. show.

On Aug. 21, the Airmen of Note will be at the Air Force Memorial with a concert series entitled "National Treasures: A Tribute to the Greatest Generation." The Note will perform iconic musical selections from the World War II era, including classic 40s big band swing tunes and ballads, as well as some newer music that's sure to please every palate. As with the Band and Singers' shows, the Airmen of Note will repeat their concerts on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the Capitol and Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Sylvan Theater.

The 2015 Summer Concert Series closes out on Friday, Sept. 11 with a concert commemorating the birthday of our great United States Air Force. Join the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants as they present "The U.S. Air Force - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." As an added treat, your U.S. Air Force Honor Guard's Drill Team will perform their unique and outstanding show at 7 p.m. Also, just prior to the concert, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh will lead a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of 9/11.

So, come and spend a beautiful (and temperate) night or two with the Air Force Band, before the summer's gone and the Summer Concert Series with it. It doesn't really get much better than great music from talented Airmen musicians under the night sky - and come November, you'll be glad you took advantage of the warm weather when you had the chance!

All concerts are free and open to the public. All concerts begin at 8 p.m., with the exception of the Sept. 11 performance, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Outdoor concerts are subject to weather cancellation, so please view our Facebook or Twitter feed for concert status. For more information on The United States Air Force Band, including full calendar and recordings library, visit our website by clicking here.