In ancient times, the assembling of soldiers in military drills was accompanied, at the very least, by a drummer and a fife player. It played a very practical role in the movement of troops, providing a cadence and a beat to march to. These musicians were also responsible for improving the morale of the soldiers. Today, the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants represent the pinnacle of professionalism and musicality as they provide community outreach, and honor our veterans.
Colonel Larry Lang is the current commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band.
“This is such an important part of what we do. Music is inspiring, isn’t it? Every time we play you hope that you’re putting a little extra spirit in our airmen’s step as they do their job all over the world. Music helps us to relate better to the communities in which we serve. It’s just a very powerful medium. It helps us to connect with people in a very tangible and powerful way,” said Lang.
Technical Sergeant David Balandrin plays the French horn in the band and is a native of Salt Lake City. He will be a featured soloist throughout this tour. He says he has had a remarkable experience thus far, working as a professional musician and serving his country at the same time.
“We are able to connect with people on a different level and to really inspire patriotism and to increase awareness about those who have served our country, honoring those who’ve served, and hopefully positively impact the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America,” said Balandrin.
The band and chorus are on a community relations tour throughout Utah this week. Their final stop will be at Utah State University on Sunday, March 1 at 3 PM in the Kent Concert Hall. Craig Jessop, current Dean of the Caine College of the Arts, says his experience as a former conductor of the Singing Sergeants was his springboard to success in the musical world.
“Nothing prepared me more for my work in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir than the Air Force Band experience. I could have never – in an academic institution- received the opportunities that I had in working with professional musicians, full-time, all over the world in every venue from the white house to… Royal Albert Hall in London, to Václav Havel, the president of Czechoslovakia, those kinds of things were daily occurrences for us,” said Jessop.
James Michael Bankhead is the current Music Department Head at Utah State University. He also served as former commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band. He says that at concerts such as these, there is something for everyone.
“It’ll be a broad spectrum of music that, if you don’t like what they’re playing right now, hang around for a minute until they play something you do like. And they’ll play it really well,” said Bankhead.
“I’ll guarantee you that anybody who shows up at the concert will be happy that they were there and hear some really marvelous music and some very passionate playing. And will come away very happy that they spent the two hours listening to one of the greatest bands in the world,” he said.
The band and chorus will also have stops in Salt Lake City at the Assembly Hall and LDS Conference Center on February 27 and 28. Concerts are free and open to the public. For more information visit their website.