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Sammy Nestico Award 

Requirements: An unpublished work for jazz ensemble instrumentation (5,4,4,4). Style and form are unrestricted. Length of the composition should

not exceed 9 minutes.

Eligibility: Citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States, age 39 or younger as of January 1, 2022. Current military personnel  (whether Active Duty, Guard or Reserve) and civilian employees of the U.S. Government are not eligible to apply.

Deadline: March 1, 2022

Entry Materials: Please send score and parts, with the applicant's name removed from all. PDFs via email are greatly preferred. Hard copies are acceptable, but do not send original scores; entry materials will not be returned. Please include a reference recording: live recordings are greatly preferred, but MIDI versions will be accepted. Composer will retain all ownership/publication rights. The U.S. Air Force Band will neither publish nor distribute compositions or arrangements. All applicants should send email correspondence to: airmenofnote.nesticoaward@gmail.com

Award: $2400 follow-up commission. The winning composition or commission will be premiered at an Airmen of Note concert. 

Arnald Gabriel Composition Contest

Requirements: An unpublished work for standard wind ensemble instrumentation. Minimum instrumentation should be one per part, maximum will be 1 Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 1 English Horn, 2 Bassoons, 3 standard B-flat Clarinet, 1 Eb Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Alto Saxophones, 1 Tenor, 1 Baritone, 6 Trumpet/Cornet combined, 4 F Horns, 3 Trombones, 1 Bass Trombone, 2 Tuba, 4 Percussion, Timpani, Harp and Piano/Celesta

Eligibility: Open to citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States, ages 18-26 as of January 1, 2018, except those involved in a military music program whether active duty, guard or reserve. 

Deadline: Postponed

Entry Materials: To apply, please send PDFs via email or hard copies to the address listed below. Make sure to include your date of birth with your submission. Also include a reference recording, either midi or from a live performance. Please do not send original scores; entry materials will not be returned. Winning compositions should be considered purchased by The U.S. Air Force Band after monetary compensation. The Band will only retain one purchased copy (score/parts).  The composer will still retain all ownership and publication rights. The U.S. Air Force Band will neither publish nor distribute the compositions.

Performance/Contest Details: The winning professional composition will be world premiered at a Concert Band Guest Artist Series Concert or similar event in Washington, DC. The winning composers will be provided with a professionally produced recording from the performance. The composition will be considered for inclusion on a future Concert Band recording. Finally, the winning composer will be offered a commission to compose a new work exclusively for the Concert Band.

George Howard Concerto Competition

Eligibility: Open to citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States, ages 18-24 as of January 1, 2018, who are currently enrolled in a college or university. (Proof of student status is required)

Entry Materials: Please send a recording with piano accompaniment via email to the address listed below.  Applicants may perform and submit up to two movements of standard concerto repertoire. Before submission, please verify a concert band accompaniment for the selected concerto is published and available.

Deadline: Postponed

Performance Details: The winner will perform with the Concert Band as part of The U.S Air Force Band Guest Artist Series or similar event in Washington, DC. Lodging will be provided while visiting our nation’s capital to rehearse and perform with the Concert Band. Finally, the winner will be provided with a professionally produced recording from the performance.

 

 

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ID CanStream CanDownload URL Song Ensemble Album Composer Arranger Publisher Year Duration Cover Art

The Air Force Strings is the official string ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. The Air Force Strings consists of 17 active-duty musicians performing a wide range of musical styles, from classical symphonic selections and Broadway show tunes to classic rock, bluegrass, and patriotic compositions. The ensemble often entertains audiences at high-level military and government events in a formation known as the Strolling Strings. Providing a multi-dimensional experience, the instrumentalists surround the audience performing from memory without a conductor’s aid.  More ...

The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington D.C. For smaller, more intimate venues, the Airmen of Note Combo and various individual musicians perform apart from the full band to support military and civilian ceremonial and diplomatic events. More ...

The Ceremonial Brass is the official ceremonial ensemble of The United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 38 active-duty musicians, the Ceremonial Brass provides musical support for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, arrivals for foreign heads of state at the White House and Pentagon, patriotic programs, and change of command, retirement, and awards ceremonies. More ...

The Concert Band is the official symphonic wind ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 52 active-duty musicians, the Concert Band performs across the United States via biannual tours, engages the local community in our nation's capital through numerous concert series, and reaches millions globally through live radio, television, and internet broadcasts. Additionally, Concert Band members perform in smaller chamber ensembles at official military and civilian functions, education outreach events, and local concert venues. More ...

Max Impact is the official rock/pop music ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring six active-duty musicians, Max Impact regularly presents high-intensity performances throughout the nation and abroad. The ensemble supports events at the White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and numerous other high-level military and civilian functions to advance international diplomacy with America’s allies and strategic partners. More ...

The Singing Sergeants is the official chorus of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 24 active-duty musicians, the Singing Sergeants support military and civilian ceremonial and diplomatic functions, education outreach events, and concerts throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C., and the United States. More ...

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AIR FORCE STRINGS
The Air Force Strings, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. The Air Force Strings consists of 17 active-duty musicians performing various musical styles, from classical symphonic selections and Broadway show tunes to classic rock, bluegrass, and patriotic compositions. The ensemble often entertains audiences at high-level military and government events in a formation known as the “Strolling Strings,” providing a multi-dimensional experience where members surround the audience performing from memory and without the aid of a conductor.  More ...

AIRMEN OF NOTE
The Airmen of Note, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band and contemporary jazz forms to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments worldwide, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C. For smaller, more intimate venues, the Airmen of Note Combo and various individual musicians perform apart from the full band to support military and civilian ceremonial and diplomatic events. More ...

CEREMONIAL BRASS
The Ceremonial Brass, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 41 active-duty musicians, the Ceremonial Brass provides musical support for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, arrivals for foreign heads of state at the White House and Pentagon, patriotic programs, and change of command, retirement, and awards ceremonies. More ...

CONCERT BAND
The Ceremonial Brass, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 41 active-duty musicians, the Ceremonial Brass provides musical support for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, arrivals for foreign heads of state at the White House and Pentagon, patriotic programs, and change of command, retirement, and awards ceremonies. More ...

MAX IMPACT
Max Impact, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring six active-duty musicians, Max Impact regularly presents high-intensity performances throughout the nation and abroad. The ensemble supports events at the White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and numerous other high-level military and civilian functions to advance international diplomacy with America’s allies and strategic partners. More ...

SINGING SERGEANTS

The Singing Sergeants, stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., is one of six musical ensembles from the United States Air Force Band. The Singing Sergeant's 24 active-duty musicians support ceremonial and diplomatic functions, educational outreach events, and perform concerts throughout Washington, D.C., and the United States. More ...

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ID CanStream CanDownload URL Song Ensemble Album Composer Arranger Publisher Year Duration Cover Art

Info: (800) 283-8995
Email: USAF Band Auditions Team