Exciting New Territory Charted for Upcoming Tour

Published Jan. 27, 2015
By Master Sgt. Matthew Murray

Washington, D.C. -- In late February and early March, the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will embark upon yet another bi-annual national tour through the United States of America. The tour will last 12 days and span 750 miles through the expansive western states of Utah, Nevada and California, starting in Salt Lake City and ending in San Francisco--none of which is at all unusual for the next in line of the many tours logged by the Band in its 74-year history. However, this tour will be unique in many ways, creating new challenges while simultaneously reaping new rewards.

In addition to the nightly community relations concerts typically performed, the organization will be featured in two prestigious annual national music conferences. The Singing Sergeants will perform at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Salt Lake City, and the Concert Band will present a concert for the American Bandmasters Association in Reno, Nevada.

Participating in each conference will require splitting the two ensembles--which typically perform together every night--on six of 10 performance days, necessitating the creation of five separate programs. These will include an eclectic instrumental chamber music concert at Utah State University and a Singing Sergeants and combo double feature at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Clearly, there will be logistical challenges to overcome!

To the possible chagrin of the tours, marketing, technical support and Advancing Innovation through Music (AIM) teams responsible for the complex, multilayered planning and execution of the tour, new precedents for the performance and outreach mission may be set. However, a successful execution of the tour plan will definitely result in greatly increased outreach to the people of the United States, which is one of our primary missions, and one of our greatest joys as Airmen musicians.

The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will be on tour from Feb. 27 to March 7. The full schedule, with venue information and show times, can be found on our events calendar.

Please plan to come and spend an evening with us as we share the gifts of music and love of country. And, don't forget to say "hello" after the concert. We look forward to seeing you there!