USAF Band of the West

We’ve been celebrating some great accomplishments recently at Band of the West:

We said farewell Senior Airman Drew Pritchard who had a successful audition for the United States Air Force Academy Band and will join them as their newest trumpet player! 🎺

We congratulated our percussionist Ross Hussong on his selection for Senior Airman Below the Zone, a selective early promotion for the most distinguished of airmen! 🥁

We welcomed Airman First Class Tyler Frueh as our newest saxophone player and BMT graduate! 🎷

Aim High!

Our concert band and jazz combo recently had the opportunity to perform on the opening gala concert for the 2024 National Flute Association Conference right here in San Antonio!

This performance featured our jazz combo collaborating with the renowned Kim Scott and included 4 world premier concert band orchestrations of flutist/composer Ian Clarke’s most well-known works, arranged by our very own Staff Sergeant Justis MacKenzie. Flutist and Senior Airman Emily Lloyd even performed the famous Maya duet with Ian himself.

Finally, we were pleased to welcome Airman First Class Christian Lampkin from USAF Heritage of America Band and Dr. Rachel Woolf from UTSA School of Music to complete our flute section!

The National Flute Association

‼️REMINDER‼️
We have 3 upcoming auditions and we want YOU to apply!

HORN
Application materials due: August 12th, 2024 Audition date: October 8th, 2024
Location: San Antonio, TX

PERCUSSION
Application materials due: August 12th, 2024
Audition date: October 7th, 2024
Audition location: San Antonio, TX

BASSOON
Application materials due: August 12th, 2024
Audition date: October 8th, 2024
Audition location: San Antonio, TX

Visit https://www.music.af.mil/Auditions/ for more info!

Our woodwind quintet recently performed for amazing students at Texas Lutheran University’s Summer Music Academy! ☀️🌴

If you’re a band director/camp coordinator looking for a way to engage your students during the summer, send us a request; we are 100% free to book.

Request us today at www.outreach requests.hq.af.mil

Texas Lutheran University

✨NOW HIRING - CIVILIAN OPPORTUNITY✨

Application open until July 19th! Join the USAF Band of the West as a Music Engagement Manager. Follow the link to the posting at USAJobs:

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/799882800

Change of Command season is upon us, and our Brass Quintet has been busy performing ceremonial honors across JBSA, Texas, and Florida!

This time-honored tradition allows military units to formally recognize their incoming and outgoing commanders, and welcome them and their families to the unit.

The Band of the West employs several small chamber ensembles in order to provide traditional musical honors at dozens of ceremonies each year.

🎇Join us to celebrate Independence Day! All performances are free and open to the public.*

*To reserve eventbrite tickets for our show tonight in Lake Charles, visit this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independence-day-celebration-tickets-912372339227?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Visit Lake Charles
Lake Charles Event Center
The Alamo
San Antonio Parks Foundation
New Caney, Texas

See you soon, Lake Charles!

Can't wait for the USAF Band of the West to visit Lake Charles this coming Wednesday night! FREE tickets available at the below link.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independence-day-celebration-tickets-912372339227?aff=oddtdtcreator

🇺🇸We have a few tickets left for this FREE Independence Day Concert on July 3rd at the Rosa Hart Theatre in Lake Charles, Louisiana!

🎟️Get yours now at this link: flow.page/afband

CBS Lake Charles
Visit Lake Charles
The City of Lake Charles
Lake Charles Event Center
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles Memorial

The USAF Band of the West's Independence Day Concert Tour is coming to Lake Charles! The concert will range from big band hits of the 1940s to brand-new compositions written exclusively for this tour.

📅 July 3 at 6:00 PM
📍 Rosa Hart Theatre, 900 N. Lakeshore Dr

Visit our website to learn more + grab your FREE general admission ticket: https://www.cbslakecharles.tv/2024/06/21/495555/u-s-air-force-band-of-the-west-celebrates-independence-day-with-electrifying-4th-of-july-concert-tour

🇺🇸TOMORROW: Join us via YouTube livestream as Major Justin W. Lewis assumes command of Band of the West! The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00AM CT.

Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/jB5IRSzEwYQ

UPDATE: Apply now at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/799882800

We want YOU!

The USAF Band of the West seeks a Music Engagement Manager. Looking for strong communication skills, marketing savvy, and attention to detail.

To apply, stay tuned to our social media. Once the position is posted, a direct link to the job listing on USAJobs will be available to accept applications.

We always look forward to performing at the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference!

We are ECSTATIC to have Texas's own USAF Band of the West as one of our featured groups for the 2024 TBA Convention! Join us on Thursday, July 25 at 7:30 PM in Lila Cockrell Theatre for their concert.

💥UPCOMING AUDITIONS💥

Percussion - October 7th
Horn - October 8th
Bassoon - October 8th

Application Materials Due - August 12th, 2024
Audition Location - San Antonio, Texas

Visit www.music.af.mil/auditions for more information!

🇺🇸Happy Flag Day, Everyone!🇺🇸

💥Fun Fact: Did you know that you can book us online for FREE!?

We want to come play at your schools, community events, and military ceremonies. Simply visit https://www.outreachrequests.hq.af.mil to put in a request to have us play at your event!

*NOTE: A request does not guarantee that we will be available for your event*

Catch us this 🎆4th of July🎆 in Lake Charles, Louisiana and New Caney, Texas! Get your FREE tickets now before they’re gone🇺🇸➡️

🎟️ Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/independence-day-celebration-tickets-912372339227?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

New Caney, Texas (no tickets required; information here!): https://www.thehillvalleyranch.com/valleyranch4thfest.html

✨INSPIRE✨
Band of the West paid a visit to Larkspur Elementary School last week and had an amazing time sharing our mission with over 500 students! Inspiring the next generation is a critical component of our job and the future of our military. Thank you for having us, Larkspur!

Senior Airman Evan Drumm has just returned to our unit after assisting the PACAF Band. SrA Drumm performed with their jazz ensemble during their week-long tour throughout Hokkaido in Northern Japan as well as with the brass quintet at the Yokota Air Base Friendship Festival which garnered over 300,000 visitors from across Japan.

Today we solemnly remember the courageous individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. Our mission will always be to honor the fallen heroes who have secured and preserved the freedoms we hold dear.

Congratulations to Senior Airman Burton Fowler on his completion of Airman Leadership School!

——
Q: What is the most meaningful thing you learned at ALS?

A: ALS proved to be both meaningful and effective due to the substantial level of communication it fostered between Airmen. As we progressed through the curriculum, the coursework naturally prompted engaging discussions that actively encouraged input from all participants. This dialogue resulted in the exchange of diverse experiences and perspectives. Personally, the most rewarding aspect was the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the various roles within the Air Force.

Calling all clarinetists! The USAF Band of the West will be hosting a clarinet audition on August 19th in San Antonio, Texas.

This is a great opportunity for those that are interested in civilian GS opportunities to partner with us in the Air Force Bands!

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT || 💎Rare Find💎 ||
The Heartland Band’s GS-11 position is ready to be filled! Do you love music, the military and promoting them? Job posting is LIVE on USA Jobs 29 Apr-3 May. Click link below to go directly to the announcement for more information. Or visit USA Jobs and search for 788911400. Don’t waste time; it’s only open for 5 days!
Job posting link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/788911400

As Fiesta 2024 comes to a close, there’s still one more opportunity to catch us perform. Join us tomorrow night as we march in the magical Fiesta Flambeau Parade!

Fiesta Flambeau Parade
Fiesta San Antonio

💜 Month of the Military Child 🇺🇸

Each April, we take time to “Purple up” and celebrate military children in our community.

Did you know that the Dandelion is the official flower of the military child? They bloom everywhere the winds take them.
They are resilient.
They are strong.
They are beautiful.

For many of us here at Band of the West, they are the motivation behind the uniform we wear everyday. Thank you to our military children. They serve, too.