Air Force Strings

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT | This Sunday, June 4th, a String Quartet from the Air Force Strings will be performing a FREE concert with music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and by the former Commander and Conductor of the The United States Air Force Band, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Amy Mills. This is only the second live performance of her piece, "Flee", a novella for String Quartet. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis; be sure to arrive early to reserve yours!

Sunday, June 4, 2023
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Sherwood Regional Library, Sherwood Meeting Room
2501 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA 22306

Here is former Lieutenant Colonel Amy Mills describing the movements of her composition, "Flee":

“Flee!” is a novella, a short story, for string quartet. Imagine being captive, the opportunity arises, take a chance and flee, mixing the exuberance of restored freedom with the fear of recapture. At Sad, pause to think of those still in captivity, but not for long. Danger! During the four episodes in Evade – leap, hide, scurry, and project bravado until the coast is clear, and once again, Flee! Finally arriving at a place of Refuge, rejoice, then revel in new found freedom! Flee! is an exuberant experience for both players and audiences.

(Official U.S. Air Force Photo provided by Technical Sgt. Atticus Mellor-Goldman)

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT | Last week, the The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings performed for a dignified group of senior statesmen and generals at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Club. They played arrangements of classic tunes such as "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Georgia on My Mind." We love supporting these important events, especially the ones at our home base; we’re always honored and excited to see Sharene Brown - Spouse of the 22nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force jamming out with our group!

(Official U.S. Air Force Photos kindly provided by Le’Shaunda Moheed)

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT | Get an inside look at last week’s festivities at The White House and the U.S. Capitol! The United States Air Force Band’s Air Force Strings supported The White House as they hosted the President of the Republic of Korea to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance. The Air Force Strings performed at a dinner for the Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, as well as the red carpet arrival for officials, celebrities, and more. A few days after that, a string quartet played at a reception for the Korean President after his address to Congress, hosted by Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Speaker enjoyed our playing so much he invited us to chat with him afterwards, and take in the incredible view from the Balcony next to his office. It’s an honor for us to support our country’s international diplomacy and use our music to help build strong alliances.

(Official U.S. Air Force Photos provided by The White House and Office of the Speaker of the House)

JOINT MISSION | Last week, The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings joined the The United States Army Band's Army Strings to provide support at The White House support for the Korean President's state visit. It was a thrilling week of rehearsals and excitement to ensure our performances went smoothly and we made their visit special. Enjoy these pictures taken during one of our joint rehearsals. HOOAH!

(Official U.S. Air Force Photos by Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Kowalsky)

TRAVELIN’ STRINGS | A few weeks ago, members of The United States Air Force Band’s Air Force Strings travelled to Fort Walton Beach, Florida to help support the 24th Operations Wing for their annual Skills Competition Ball. The small group played background music as well as a customized selection of music for their performance, including an arrangement of Queen’s “We are the Champions” to recognize the participants in their skills competition, which was a smash hit among our special forces audience! We always love supporting our special operators for their incredible hard work and commitment to the United States Air Force and their country.

(Official U.S. Air Force Photos by Senior Master Sgt. Josh Kowalsky)

MUSICAL AMBASSADORS | Last week, The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings visited the American String Teachers Association(ASTA) National Conference in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, the Air Force Strings performed a concert as a small group, spoke with music educators, and worked with bright young students from around the country. We always have so much fun performing and working at our exhibition booth, in addition to reconnecting with old friends! It’s always a heartwarming scene every year at ASTA, as multiple members from the Strings end up running into their colleagues and friends from college. Pictured in the third photo is violinist Master Sgt. Nathan Wisniewski and his friend Darcy Drexler, Professor of Violin and Pedagogy at DePaul University.



(Photos by Senior Master Sgt. Josh Kowalsky)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY | Meet the wonderful former Flight Chief of the Air Force Strings, Chief Master Sgt. Deborah R. Volker. Originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Chief Volker's Air Force career began in 1993. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University, a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America. Additionally, she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in emergency medical services from NOVA Community College. Chief Volker has performed with the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Reading and Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and the National Chamber Orchestra. She has studied with Luis Biava, Robert Gerle, Myron Kartman, Helen Kwalwasser and Yumi Ninomiya Scott.

In addition to her military duties, Chief Volker is a former national officer with the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and actively volunteers as an paramedic with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, while currently holding the position of Rescue Captain and President with the Franconia Volunteer Fire Dept.

According to Chief Volker, the highlight of her career was having the honor to deploy as NCOIC of the AFCENT Band in 2010, performing as a member of Celtic Aire for American and Coalition troops, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Chief Volker is preparing to retire after a 30 year career in the The United States Air Force Band. She has had an extraordinary career in the USAF Band, and quite the list of accomplishments. We are so grateful for all the awesome work she has done in her leadership role for the Air Force Strings!

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VIOLIN AUDITION | The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings are holding auditions for a section violin vacancy! Applicants will be expected to submit their professional resume as well as a recording of standard excerpts. For a complete list of audition requirements, please visit:
https://www.music.af.mil/Auditions/

Preliminary audition materials are due no later than April 26, 2023, and the live audition date is scheduled for May 31, 2023. If you have any questions about the audition, please email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to share this post and tag your friends who might be interested in auditioning for the Air Force Strings. Help us spread the word and reach more talented musicians!

Apply now for the Air Force Strings 2023 Violin audition at https://bit.ly/3Etpj7N.

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CONCERT | Come celebrate George Washington’s 291st birthday with the Air Force Strings! This Wednesday, February 22nd, at 2:30 pm, the Air Force Strings will be playing a concert in the Smith Auditorium at George Washington's Mount Vernon, performing a range of beautiful and eclectic music including Andy Reiner’s exciting “Fiddle Suite” for string orchestra. This concert will truly be a virtuosic fiddle extravaganza, and who knows, we might even throw in a few strolling tunes! We look forward to seeing you there.

Admission is free and tickets will be distributed upon arrival.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Smith Auditorium
Wednesday, February 22, 2:30 pm

Program:

Gustav Holst: Brook Green Suite
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - Novelette Op. 52 No. 3 (Valse)
Antonio Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Winter)
Andy Reiner - Fiddle Suite

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Technical Sgt. Atticus Mellor-Goldman)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH | February is Black History Month, and we wanted to recognize the history of the African-American members in The United States Air Force Band; specifically, spotlighting Dr. Leon Neal. Dr. Neal was one of the first African-American members of the Air Force Strings-- beginning his enlistment in October of 1971 at the historically young age of 18, and ending in August of 1975.

Dr. Neal is currently a member of the The Kennedy Center Opera House and Washington National Opera Orchestra. While in delayed enlistment process, he completed his freshman year at Catholic University, and upon joining the Air Force Strings, Sgt. Neal managed to complete both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Catholic University of America while in the Band. Upon his departure from the Air Force Strings, he continued additional graduate studies at The University of Maryland before returning to The Catholic University of America, where he received his Doctorate of Musical Arts.

In addition to performing with the Kennedy Center Opera House/Washington National Opera Orchestra, Dr. Neal served for twenty-five years as Director of the Orchestral Institute for the Summer Opera Theater Co., and is currently a Consultant to National Symphony Orchestra Education. Dr. Neal's consultancy at the Kennedy Center has included work with the Summer Music Institute, and has involved selecting and coordinating training opportunities in the United States for classical musicians in the US State Department/Kennedy Center International Artists Exchange. Dr. Neal has also developed a program to create training opportunities for orchestral instrumentalists with Howard University and the Kennedy Center. The pilot program was also awarded an NEA grant. At the request of the US Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Neal produced and toured a series of educational development concerts performed by a diverse group of professional musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Louisville Orchestra, the Air Force Strings, and the Army Strings. Dr. Neal was also awarded the prestigious Alumni Achievement Award by The Catholic University of America.

Since his tenure with the Air Force Strings, Dr. Neal has built an amazing career for himself, and we’re proud to celebrate his impact in the history of our Band, as well as his achievements.

ADVANCING INNOVATION IN MUSIC | This past week, members of The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings traveled to Maryland to work with the talented students from the DeMatha Catholic High School orchestra. During the visit, they worked side by side with the individual students on their current repertoire, spoke with them about pursuing a career in music, and put on a short performance of classical and tango music.

This visit was also more personal than our usual outreach; as Master Sgt. Luke Wedge, one of the representing members of the Air Force Strings, is also the father to one of the talented violinists in the DeMatha High Sinfonia! Congratulations to the teachers and staff for their hard work in educating these bright kids, and thank you to DeMatha High School for hosting us. It is always exciting to influence the eager young minds of the next generation, and we were very impressed with the musical expertise these students showed us!

(Photos kindly provided by Matthew Bickle)

DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP | Deadline approaching! The Diversity Fellowship is a unique opportunity for selected musicians to rehearse and perform with one of the six ensembles that make up The United States Air Force Band. Fellowship recipients will gain valuable first-hand experience of what it’s like to perform as a member of The United States Air Force Band. The Fellowship includes:

- A week-long residency with The United States Air Force Band during its summer series (late May - August) to include rehearsal and performance opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area (Air Force Strings Fellowships may be offered for approximately one week between May 29-July 2)�
- Travel, lodging, and per diem will be provided�
- Fellows who choose to audition for The United States Air Force Band in the future will be advanced to the semi-final live audition round with no pre-screening requirement (where applicable)

In the Air Force Strings, fellowships are available for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The deadline to apply is March 1st, 2023— click on the link below to learn more about this valuable opportunity!�

https://www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/Diversity-Fellowship/

A MONTH TO REMEMBER | Before we wholeheartedly welcome 2023, let’s take a brief look back at some of The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings highlights from this last December. The Air Force Strings faced one of their busiest months in recent memory, performing every week for The White House, senators, foreign ministers, and many more. It's an honor to support our nation's leaders to help bolster international relationships. Pictured here, the Air Force Strings Quartet with former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, after her birthday celebration.

(Photos kindly provided by Grayson Kisker)

IN CONCERT | In December of 2022, The United States Air Force Band's Air Force Strings performed a classical concert at the historic St. John's Church, Lafayette Square in Washington D.C., with music ranging from Giacomo Puccini to contemporaries like Jose Elizondo. Most of the current members in the Air Force Strings have multiple advanced degrees from music conservatories and music programs from around the nation. While one of the biggest strengths of our ensemble is our musical range and flexibility, it’s always exciting when we put together programs focused on classical music, as this was the type of training we received for most of our lives. As we look forward into 2023, we hope to continue pushing the boundaries of our craft in service to our country.

(U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Josh Kowalsky)

VETERANS DAY | Today, we honor the military veterans of our United States Armed Forces. Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day is a treasured national holiday that recognizes those who have put their country before themselves. In the The United States Air Force Band’s Air Force Strings, we celebrate this special day by putting on a show every year at George Washington's Mount Vernon, with music ranging from 19th century Classical to Billy Joel. All active-duty, former, and retired military personnel have free admission to Mt. Vernon. Come enjoy our show, and celebrate our country’s finest!

Today, November 11th
2:00 pm
Smith Auditorium, George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Free Admission for active-duty, former, and retired military personnel



Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Josh Kowalsky

GERMAN UNITY DAY | Last week, The United States Air Force Band's Max Impact was invited to perform at the German Embassy Washington for their celebration of German reunification. Since 1990, October 3rd has been recognized as a German national holiday, commemorating the unification of East and West Germany. Our very own Senior Master Sgt. Frank Busso joined the band on accordion for a set of German pop tunes. Thank you to the German Embassy for inviting us-- it was definitely a night to remember!



📸 : Senior Master Sgt. Josh Kowalsky