On Friday, April 12, the United States Air Force Band performed a free public concert at the CFL Main Hall, featuring a mix of patriotic songs, classical pieces, and 1970s pop hits.
The performance, which the Air Force Band collaborated with the Singing Sergeants on, featured music selections written by composers such as Leonard Bernstien and Dmitri Shostakovich. Luther Director of Bands Cory Near conducted the second piece on the program, a march titled “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite” by Iowa composer Karl S. King.
Additionally, 10 Luther students performed with the Band on a later piece in the program, “Colonel Bogey” by Kenneth J. Alford: Hannah Stoutner (‘24), flute; Madelyn O’Brien (‘24), oboe; Sam Maston (‘24), clarinet; Kyle Pido (‘26), bass clarinet; Charlotte Appel (‘25), bassoon; David Helbling (‘26), saxophone; Karson Trujillo (‘25), trumpet; Kurt Lebakken (‘25), horn; Eli Vorvick (‘27), trombone; Kieran Ulbee (‘25), euphonium; Mark Severtson (‘25), tuba; and Andrew Mantini (‘24), percussion.
Maston described performing with the Air Force Band as “a really magical experience” and expressed that he had a great time.
“I really enjoyed being at the concert listening and [performing] in it,” Maston said. “Every member [of the ensemble that] we talked to was super nice, and the [overall experience] of playing in [the concert] was amazing.”
The United States Air Force Band is conducted by Colonel Don Schofield, and is made up of 52 members from all over the United States. The audience gave hearty applause to the Midwesterners in the band, and gave the ensemble multiple standing ovations throughout the course of the evening.
Air Force Band tours such as this one emphasize community relations with the Band. According to the Air Force Band’s official website, the group’s “vision” is to use music to inspire audiences worldwide, create innovative products and programs and represent “Air Force excellence.”
“The U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants honor those who have served, inspire American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and connect with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America,” the Band’s official mission statement reads on their website.
Friday’s show in Decorah is part of the band’s current national tour, and is the only stop in Iowa. Following the show in Decorah, the Band will perform two more shows in Wisconsin before concluding the tour with a show in Milwaukee, WI. More information about the Band can be found online in the U.S. Air Force Band’s website.
