The United States Air Force Band is one of the most respected, versatile and accomplished musical organizations in the world. From its humble beginnings with only three enlisted musicians to today's 184-member premier musical organization, The U.S. Air Force Band continues the tradition of representing the United States Air Force and its over 400,000 dedicated Active Duty and Air National Guard members, to a global audience. "The United States Air Force Band" is the title of the Air Force's premier musical squadron which includes the Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, the Airmen of Note, the Air Force Strings, Ceremonial Brass, Max Impact, Chamber Players, and many other ensemble combinations, including rock, pop, country, and dedicated show units.
Born out of a nation about to enter the Second World War, The USAF Band started off as just one of 59 “Air Force Bands” activated on October 1, 1941. Between 1941 and 1945, over 1,500 musicians were auditioned and recruited from 32 major symphony orchestras and 38 famous dance bands. The Band’s unsurpassed professionalism, versatility, and location at the Headquarters for the Army Air Forces on Bolling Field in Washington, D.C., quickly earned it the designation as, “The Official Band of the Army Air Forces.”
Military leaders, audience members and music educators around the globe know The Air Force Band to be one of the finest concert bands in the world. When combined with the Singing Sergeants, the unit increases its capability to appeal to a broad-based audience via instrumental and vocal music.The United States Air Force Band conceived and pioneered the concept that a musical organization can be a nation's most effective goodwill ambassador. These combined ensembles truly earned the band its title as "America's International Musical Ambassadors," earned via 12 international concert tours, covering 48 countries and 40 world capitals on five continents. During these tours, they proudly represented the people of the United States of America, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Air Force to foreign countries and audience members on a global scale.
The United States Air Force Band and its components have performed live for over 60 million people of every race,color, creed, religion and ideology. Additional millions have heard them through numerous radio and television appearances. By giving a first-hand insight into American culture, the musicians have created a better understanding among the peoples of the world. The United States Air Force Band is a musical organization that merits its reputation as "America's International Musical Ambassadors," for it is truly one of the most potent instruments of goodwill at the command of the American people.