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Conductors and Choirs Combine for Memorial Day Festival

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Will Hurd
Washington, D.C. --  On Sunday, May 24, The United States Air Force Orchestra performed in the 2015 National Memorial Day Choral Festival concert, in partnership with Music Celebrations International and the American Veterans Center. The concert was presented at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. This musical salute to our nation's heroes featured inspirational music performed by vocalists from 10 outstanding choruses from across America, two world-class vocal soloists and The U.S. Air Force Orchestra. The ensemble was led by three legendary conductors: National Memorial Day Choral Festival Artistic Director, Dr. Craig Jessop, conductor emeritus of The U.S. Air Force Band, retired Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, and the Band's current commander and conductor, Col. Larry H. Lang. This year marks the third year in a row that the Band has taken part in this event.

Highlights from this year's festival included British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams' extraordinary cantata, "Dona nobis pacem." This poignant, six-movement work is based on texts from several inspirational sources, including the Latin mass, poems by Walt Whitman and the Bible. Conducted by former Air Force bandleader and renowned conductor, Dr. Craig Jessop, the stirring rendition featured soprano soloist Ms. Laura Choi Stuart and baritone soloist Master Sgt. Kerry Wilkerson of the U.S. Army Chorus.

In addition to being a featured conductor, Gabriel was presented with the Secretary of the Air Force Exceptional Service Award. The award is presented to civilians for exemplary service in an advisory or technical capacity to a Department of Defense committee, program or project. Since his retirement from the Air Force in 1985, Gabriel has voluntarily conducted more than 2,000 U.S. and international concerts, reaching a global audience of more than one million. As the only conductor emeritus of The U.S. Air Force Band, his insight and tenacious support of the band career field have been critical to ensuring positive esprit de corps and career development for over 1,000 Airman musicians. Each of these services was voluntary, performed as a public service and motivated by patriotism with no remuneration. The Exceptional Service Award was presented by Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force.

This concert was also notable for The U.S. Air Force Band, because it was the last time Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Pagnard will serve as emcee for the organization. She was featured as the narrator of the rousing patriotic selection, "Liberty for All," which contains quotes from George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.

"What a wonderful concert to be a part of as my final performance as an emcee for the Band!" Pagnard said. She continued, "It was truly humbling to be reciting words spoken by John F. Kennedy himself on the stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall."

Currently the chief of Marketing and Outreach, Pagnard has emceed numerous Band concerts throughout her career, and will soon retire from the Air Force after 23 years of service.