United States Air Force Band
The U.S. Air Force Band is part of the U.S. Air Force Bands Program, which consists of 10 stateside bands, 4 overseas active-duty bands, and 11 Air National Guard bands.
The current commander and music director is Lt. Col. Alan C. Sierichs. Within The U.S. Air Force Band there are six performing ensembles: The Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, Airmen of Note, Air Force Strings, Ceremonial Brass, and Max Impact. Collectively, these musical groups perform a wide spectrum of styles, including classical, jazz, popular, patriotic and ceremonial music.
The band's official military life began on September 24, 1941, with the formation of the Bolling Army Air Forces Band under the sponsorship of Lieutenant L.P. Holcomb, commanding officer of the Air Base Group at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C. From 1955 to 1961, the U.S. Air Force Band was joined by the Women in the Air Force Band (WAF Band) as twin ambassadors of the USAF, though Air Force policy kept the WAF Band from overseas appearances. The WAF Band, founded as a local base band in 1951 at Lackland Air Force Base, was stationed alongside the all-male U.S. Air Force Band at Bolling from 1953 to 1957 after which the popular women's band was invited to Norton Air Force Base where they stayed until being disbanded in 1961. Some 235 women served in the WAF Band's ten-year lifespan. Today, the U.S. Air Force Band is made up of male and female airmen and is headquartered at Bolling Air Force Base.
- United States Air Force Academy Band
Read more about this topic: United States Military Bands
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