An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HomeMultimediaNewsArticle Display

Airmen musicians AIM high

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
YPSILANTI, Mich. --  Before Airmen took to the stage at Eastern Michigan University, members of The U.S. Air Force Band's Concert Band and Singing Sergeant ensembles first visited classrooms at the university to mentor music students April 9, 2014.

When at their home duty station in Washington, D.C., the Band Airmen frequently engage students and schools through the Advancing Innovation Through Music outreach program.

Tech. Sgt. Sara Wollmacher, a clarinetist with the Concert Band who has a background in educational outreach and student teaching, helped establish the AIM program nearly year ago .
"People remembered that I had an interest in that and asked if I wanted to be the assistant NCOIC and I said I would love to," said the native of Port Charlotte, Fla. "We are usually interacting with school students in some way more than eight times a month."

When the bandsmen plan tours and find possible opportunities to engage with students, , Wollmacher contacts the school's band program to gauge interest in collaboration. Prior to the visit, Wollmacher coordinated with EMU to schedule individual instrument clinics, chamber ensemble recitals and a wind symphony rehearsal. Though coordinating outreach engagement falls outside of her primary duties as an Airman musician, she finds the opportunity to bevery rewarding.

"The best part is being able to interact with students all over the country and all different backgrounds," she said. "We work with people who never even knew there was an Air Force Band or there was the option to do a military band. We also meet people who are huge fans and hope to someday be in a band like ours. That is also very rewarding."

Tech. Sgt. Arron Paige, a tenor vocalist with the Singing Sergeants, has been part of more than 30 AIM events so far. He sees these outreach events as a great opportunity to reach out to youth.

"The best part is knowing I can change the perception of our younger generation," said the Detroit native. "When we go into these events where it is college students and below you see that sparkle of wow, the military is awesome. That is the most rewarding part."

In addition to working beside the Airmen musicians during clinics, a handful of instrumental and vocal students from the AIM clinic were selected by their faculty to join the Airmen as guest performers during the show. The school's director of bands, Dr. Mary Schneider, was also asked to be join Col. Larry Lang, the U.S. Air Force Band's commander and conductor, as a guest conductor during the program. During rehearsal, Schneider expressed her appreciation to those who participated in the AIM clinic events.

"Thank you for working with our students today," she said. "The students said they really learned a lot. We really appreciate it."