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Concert Band, Singing Sergeants open 2014 Spring Tour

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
GLEN ELLYN, Ill. --  The U.S. Air Force Band kicked off its Spring Tour featuring the Concert Band and Singing Sergeants with its first show before a packed auditorium here at the College of DuPage April 4.

The bandsmen prepared two destination-themed programs including opera and Broadway vocal features to perform as they travel through three Midwestern states.

"This is the first night of a long tour of the area," said Col. Larry Lang, Band commander and conductor, as he opened the show. "This is our first tour in 15 months. We are so happy to start our tour with you tonight."

Once approval was given for the Band to tour, Feb. 4, the Airmen only had a few months to finalize their trip.

This was one of the shortest time frames the Band has faced to confirm venues, do site visits and line up tour logistics, said Master Sgt. Blake Arrington, tour manager and clarinetist with the Concert Band.

There are more than 70 Airmen on the tour with expertise ranging from musical to technical. In addition, four U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airmen are on hand to present the colors before each performance as well as assist the stage crew. Tickets for some of the tour concerts are already gone.

"To get out on the road is exciting," said Lang, who assumed command of the Band in 2012. "When the Band plays music, it touches people."

This tour features the Concert Band, the largest ensemble of the Band which performs a wide variety of repertoire from light classics, popular favorites and instrumental features, to classical works. The tour also features the official chorus of the Air Force, the Singing Sergeants, one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. Both ensembles feature professional Airmen musicians who were recruited from the finest colleges, universities and music conservatories.

During the first show the musicians took the audience on a global musical journey, performing compositions from Russia, Ireland and England. The performance also included a salute to veterans in the audience who rose when the band played their respective service's song. This act ties to one of Lang's favorite parts of performing in local communities.

"It gives us the chance to honor the communities for their support," he said.