FAIRFAX, Va. –
The U.S. Air Force Band celebrated its 75th Anniversary, June 11, at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall in Fairfax, Virginia.
The event was the band's first-ever reunion concert and included opening remarks by the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and performances with seven retired band conductors.
James started the concert by reflecting on the band's impact.
"They (USAF Band) honor those who have served, inspiring their listeners to a heightened sense of patriotism and positively impact the global community through the power of music," James said.
The reunion concert took close to a year of planning, but it paid off with more than 1,500 audience members coming out to watch and listen to their performance.
"It (the reunion concert) was very special and something we've never done before," said Col. Larry H. Lang, U.S. Air Force Band commander and conductor. "We've never had the entire band perform an alumni event."
Approximately 130 band members from each of the six ensembles of the U.S. Air Force Band were incorporated into the reunion concert; Air Force Strings, Airmen of Note, Ceremonial Brass, Concert Band, Max Impact and Singing Sergeants.
"It's a pleasure to come back," said retired Air Force Col. Lowell E. Graham, Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Conducting at the University of Texas at El Paso, and the U.S. Air Force Band commander from 1995 to 2002. "It feels like home. These people feel like family to me. We worked hard professionally and we set up the foundation for those that followed to make it better."
The foundation of the band was built by many of the alumni that were on that same stage.
The concert ended with the playing of the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' and was followed by the Air Force Song.
"You could see the enthusiasm especially as we came together at the end," said Col. Brad Hoagland, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander. "Everyone was up singing together and it was a special moment led by the U.S. Air Force Band for all the military members that have served before and are still currently serving."