9/16/08 –
The United States Air Force Academy Falcon Football season is well underway. Attend a game up at Falcon Stadium or catch one of the several television broadcasts of a game, and your ears just might perk up during the match. That's because members from The United States Air Force Academy Band have been working diligently with the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps this fall to strengthen the musical presentation of the group. "The success of our United States Air Force has always been a result of the great collaboration that takes place between officers and the enlisted ranks," stated Commander and Conductor of the Air Force Academy Band, Lt Col Larry H. Lang. "When I became Commander of The USAF Academy Band, one of my goals was to increase interaction between the Non-Commissioned Officers in the band, and the future leaders of our Air Force, the Cadet Wing. We have had the Cadet Chorale sing on several Concert Band concerts, and one of our component groups, the Academy Winds had last year's Cadet Wing Commander Jonathan Reynolds speak at a hometown concert in Baltic, South Dakota. Additionally, the Stellar Brass released a CD last year that featured the Cadet Chorale and its musical director Dr. Joseph Galema. This year, my intent was to assist the Corps Director, Mr. Bill Smith, by utilizing the musical resources in The Academy Band to mentor the Cadet Drum and Bugle corps, and help build that future officer/enlisted relationship that is going to be integral to the future success of these fine young men and women as leaders in our Air Force."
Since 1948, the Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps has entertained audiences across the nation and abroad. The Corps was reassigned from Washington D.C. to the Academy in 1963 and turned over to the Cadet Wing in 1972. Since then, they have won 20 of the 30 Inter-Service Academy Drum and Bugle Corps Competitions. Performing on the average of 35 times a year they are ambassadors of precision drill and musical pageantry for the Academy. Known as the "Flight of Sound," the Corps' primary mission is to support Cadet Wing activities including military formations and all Academy football and basketball games. The Corps has represented the Air Force Academy at Presidential Inaugural parades, Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades, Tournament of Roses parades, Mardi Gras parades and Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Corps Director Smith said, "The Academy Band folks came in here and did an incredible job with the cadets. I am most grateful. It is always a unique opportunity to work with professional musicians, and the NCO's from the Academy Band really did a great job coaching our cadets...it was wonderful to watch the interaction that took place. I believe that this experience will make them better officers some day." Academy Band trumpeter Master Sergeant Jeffrey Hatfield was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of this educational outreach endeavor. He said, "It was really special to get to know the cadets. We perform for them all the time, but this afforded us the opportunity to meet and work with some of them individually and understand their perspective and their goals as future leaders in our Air Force," he stated.
The Air Force Academy Band will continue to collaborate with many cadet music groups in the future. "'Excellence in All We Do' is one of the Air Force Core Values, and The Air Force Academy Band is committed to that," said Lt Col Lang. Be on the lookout, or should I say keep an ear open for the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps. They will be performing with the same precision that can be found throughout our great Air Force.
For more information on your USAF Academy Band please call (719) 556-9916 and for more information on your Air Force Academy Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps please call (719) 333-2055.