Band Gets Busy for Independence Day

Published July 6, 2015
By Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan

Washington, D.C. -- The great American holiday of Independence Day is fast approaching, and along with cookouts, friends and family and fireworks, why not celebrate with some top-notch music from first-rate Airmen musicians? The U.S. Air Force Band stands ready to satisfy your celebratory desires with a full slate of performances--live and televised--on and around the Fourth of July!

Members of four of the Band's flights will be traveling to New York to participate in the Independence Day festivities there, and also to make appearances at other local events. On July 2, the Singing Sergeants help celebrate the national pastime by performing our national anthem at Citi Field for the N.Y. Mets vs. the Chicago Cubs. The Singers will be joined by a color team from The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.

July 3 sees a quintet from the Ceremonial Brass featured during the NBC's Today. Tune in during the fourth hour (from 10 to 11 a.m.) to see and hear these outstanding Airmen proudly represent the U.S. Air Force to millions of viewers across the nation!

Independence Day will feature all four of the flights performing in the evening, preceded by a couple of featured appearances throughout the day. The full Ceremonial Brass, along with the Honor Guard Color Team, will make several appearances throughout the morning on NBC's Today July 4. Also, Technical Sgt. Mandi Harper will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Yankee Stadium when the N.Y. Yankees play the Tampa Bay Rays. Tune in to Fox Sports 1 a little before 1 p.m. to hear Harper wow the crowd with a powerful and moving version of our national anthem; it's sure to be particularly stirring on this special day. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Ceremonial Brass, the Concert Band, the Singing Sergeants and the Strolling Strings will combine forces and present a public concert at Hudson Point South Waterfront Park at the tip of Manhattan.

Most would think that that would be enough for one day, but the big finish is yet to come! At 8 p.m., the Concert Band, Singers and Strings will perform for the Macy's Fireworks Spectacular, broadcast nationally on NBC, and guest starring Gloria Estefan. Be sure to tune in and catch a fantastic show from your United States Air Force Band (and some fireworks too)!

Our mission in New York is not complete until July 5, when the Ceremonial Brass and the Honor Guard Color Team will present the national anthem and "The Armed Forces Service Songs" prior to the N.Y. Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays game at Yankee stadium, and Technical Sgt. Hannah Shirey will lead the crowd in "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch.

If you can't make it up to New York, but you'd still like to see some live music, don't fret--Max Impact and the Airmen of Note have got you covered! Max Impact will bring their high-energy pop and rock groove machine to the Sylvan Theater for two 80-minute sets of popular classics and current hits, along with some patriotic Americana. The show will feature arrangements by band members Master Sgt. Johnathon McPherson and Senior Master Sgt. Matt Ascione, including songs such as "Summer of '69," "Party In the USA," "R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.," "Uptown Funk," "America the Beautiful," and "God Bless the U.S.A." Come to the Sylvan, located on the grounds of the Washington Monument, at 6 p.m. on July 4 to enjoy the music, and stay for the fireworks immediately after the show.

If jazz is more your style, head out to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia to hear the incomparable Airmen of Note perform their Independence Day show. The free concert will include big band jazz such as "Take the A Train," and Americana and patriotic repertoire like "God Bless the U.S.A." and "The Stars and Stripes Forever." As a bonus, the location features some of the best views in the entire Metro area from which to watch the downtown Washington, D.C. fireworks show. Show up early to get a good spot, and bring the whole family out to enjoy a fantastic musical celebration of our great nation!

If you can't make it to any of the shows but still want some great patriotic music for your own celebrations, please visit the Band's recordings website to find full albums from all of our flights, free for downloading or streaming! Also, for full concert and venue information, please visit our schedule page. All public concerts are free and open to the public. Outdoor concerts are subject to weather cancellation, so please view our Facebook or Twitter feed for concert status. See you at the show!