THE CONCERT BAND
The largest musical ensemble of The United States Air Force Band is the Concert Band. This world-class symphonic wind ensemble presents over 100 concerts annually and performs a wide variety of repertoire from light classics, popular favorites and instrumental features, to classical transcriptions and original works for the band idiom. Its members represent the best-of-the-best in musical talent and education within the Air Force. Remaining true to the Air Force's pioneering spirit, the Concert Band has established an international reputation as a champion of new works for band, with dozens of world premieres to its credit. In fact, the Band sponsors a biennial competition to ensure that new compositions will continue to be produced.
Performing regularly for the general public in the greater Washington, D.C., area and on biannual community relations tours throughout the United States, The Air Force Concert Band is also in constant demand by many of the world's most highly respected professional musical organizations. Included among these are the American Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference and The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
People of every race, color, creed, walk of life and ideology have enjoyed performances by The United States Air Force Band. The Concert Band is proud to represent the United States as a component of The United States Air Force Band, "America's International Musical Ambassadors."
The Singing Sergeants
The Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force, is one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. Originally formed in 1945 from the ranks of The United States Army Air Forces Band, the chorus has a long heritage of excellence. It is comprised of 23 professional Airmen musicians, recruited from the finest colleges, universities and music conservatories to serve as active-duty musicians in the United States Air Force.
The Singing Sergeants have appeared before every chief executive of the United States since President Truman, and regularly perform at events for the White House, State Department, Department of Defense and for many other high-level military and civilian functions. Using music to bridge language, cultural, and other differences, the Singing Sergeants’ performances advance international relationships by inspiring positive and long-lasting impressions of the United States and the United States Air Force.
Presenting the music of America to audiences worldwide, the chorus demonstrates Air Force excellence to millions through live performances and radio, television and internet broadcasts. The chorus frequently performs for service members and their families, from the Chief of Staff to the most junior Airmen, enhancing troop morale and esprit de corps. Through national and international tours, the Singing Sergeants have reached audiences in all 50 states, 49 countries, and have appeared with acclaimed orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Houston and National Symphony Orchestras, and the Boston and Cincinnati Pops.
The Singing Sergeants have been featured at divisional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference and Chorus America. Additionally, the chorus has performed on some of the greatest stages in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the New York World's Fair. Through varied venues, the Singing Sergeants reach a diverse audience with the beauty and power of music, and showcasing the excellence that exists throughout the United States Air Force.
