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Ceremonial Brass starts first American concert tour

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
1/13/12 - WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. --  The United States Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass started their first American concert tour Jan. 12 by playing at the Center for the Arts here.

This elite group is typically seen throughout the National Capital Region performing at more than 1,100 ceremonies each year, including large ensembles and buglers to perform in most outdoor ceremonial venues and the Ceremonial Brass Quintet for smaller indoor settings.

"This is exciting because we haven't ever had the opportunity to play these venues before," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Mann, the tour coordinator, originally from Waseca, Minn. "We take great pride in playing at Arlington National Cemetery. This is a big change because it's indoor, but we're certainly looking forward to it."

The theme of the winter tour is "American Song and Cinema." The tour features a world premier of a new work commissioned by the band and dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen entitled "Red Tail Skirmish" by composer Bruce Yurko.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces who trained in Tuskegee, Ala. Serving during World War II in the Army Air Corps, these Airmen were subject to racial discrimination. Despite these adversities, the Tuskegee Airmen--proudly referred to as "Red Tails" or "Red Tail Angels" because of the distinctive crimson pain on the tail section of their aircraft--trained and flew with distinction, receiving the Congressional Gold Medal for valor and performance.

"Red Tail Skirmish" is a musical epic that depicts the tension, thrill and excitement of an aerial dogfight through a fast-paced work for the brass and percussion ensemble.

The program also features a Glenn Miller Medley entitled "Miller Time," arranged by former Ceremonial Brass member David Bandman, a retired master sergeant. The group is also playing a medley of works by film composer and former Air Force Band member John Williams entitled "Epic Themes."

The Ceremonial Brass' noncommissioned officer in charge said the first show came off as a major success.

"This was pretty amazing since it was the first ever," said Chief Master Sgt. Edward Teleky, a Yorktown Heights, N.Y., native. "In my 25 years in the Air Force, this was definitely one of the highlights. We were able to inspire people and greet them face-to-face."

The origins of the Ceremonial Brass trace back to 1964 when The United States Air Force Headquarters Command Band was incorporated into The U.S. Air Force Band as a ceremonial unit. It became an all-brass and percussion ensemble in 1985 and was renamed The Ceremonial Brass.

Since those early years, it has evolved into a 50-member organization consisting of world-class brass players, percussionists and a drum major. The Ceremonial Brass represent all Airmen while standing on the tarmac for the arrival of heads of state; providing full-honors during state funerals; and, marching down Pennsylvania Avenue during presidential inaugural parades.