JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Often viewed as a figure of holiday cheer and hope for a peaceful new year, the Christmas tree symbolizes the beginning of each holiday season with joy and light. This year, at The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 1, 2nd Lt. Shanti Nolan, U.S. Air Force Band officer in charge of outreach, had the opportunity to highlight this Christmas symbol the best way she knew how.
Nolan spent the ceremony conducting the U.S. Air Force Band's premiere jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note, or "The Note," during their performance. Nolan conducted the group as they played holiday arrangements for the Commander in Chief, thousands of spirited holiday viewers and distinguished ceremony guests such as Rodney Atkins, Carson Daly, One Republic, Santa Claus and the famed Kermit The Frog.
"This type of performance is a regular part of the band's mission, but I certainly was not expecting to be asked to conduct as the band's newest officer," said Nolan. "In fact, The Christmas Tree Lighting turned out to be my first performance with The U.S. Air Force Band. As you might imagine, I was surprised to be asked to perform for such a high-profile event this early in my career, but at the same time I was extremely excited by the assignment and honored to be involved."
The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony has been a staple of holiday tradition in Washington, D.C. since 1924. According to The National Tree Lighting Ceremony website, http://www.thenationaltree.org, in 1954, the tree lighting became known as the Christmas Pageant of Peace, a celebration conceived by the Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Citizen's Committee. Additionally, the lighting was originally held annually on Christmas Eve, but was later moved to earlier in December. The lighting was then followed by additional presentations and performances on the stage at the Ellipse years later.
Even though The Airmen of Note's performance at the ceremony was 's first time conducting for the ensemble, the concert was anything but a rookie-performance for the newbie lieutenant. Knowing she'd be conducting the band well ahead of time, Nolan and The Note spent ample hours rehearsing for the event.
"In addition to the rehearsals leading up to the concert, we spent the entire day on site from 6:30 a.m. until the event ended around 6:30 p.m.," said Nolan. "There were many aspects of the show to coordinate with the production company including sound checks for the band and guest artists, staging with Santa and Kermit The Frog, and a full practice run of the show. However, the Airmen in our musical flights are some of the best in the world at their craft. It was an honor to share the stage with them."
Information on future concerts by The Note, or any of the U.S. Air Force Band's premiere ensembles can be found at http://www.usafband.af.mil or by calling the U.S. Air Force Band's concert line at 202-767-5658.