Brass starts Fourth of July with performance on Today Show

Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, United States Air Force Band commander, meets with "Today" show hosts Lester Holt and Amy Robach during a live Independence Day broadcast from Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The Ceremonial Brass has performed annually on the Today show since 1998. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller)

Trumpet players from the United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass perform for millions during a live Independence Day broadcast from Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The Ceremonial Brass performed patriotic music and marches throughout the telecast, before and after commercial breaks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller)

Brass starts Fourth of July with performance on Today Show

The U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass group performs during a live broadcast on the Today Show before and after commercial breaks July 4 from Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The Ceremonial Brass has performed annually on the Today show since 1998. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller)

Brass starts Fourth of July with performance on Today Show

Members of the Ceremonial Brass rest in between takes of the live Independence Day broadcast from Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The Ceremonial Brass performed patriotic music and marches throughout the telecast, before and after commercial breaks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marleah Miller)

Brass starts Fourth of July with performance on Today Show

Published July 6, 2009
By Senior Airman Marleah Miller
11th Wing Public Affairs

NEW YORK -- The United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass performed in New York City July 4 on NBC's "Today" show.

"It was such an honor to be able to represent the men and women of the Air Force and U.S. military on NBC Today on the 4th of July," said Chief Master Sgt. Ed Teleky, U.S. Air Force Band drum major. "It was truly an exciting experience. The United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass members did an absolutely spectacular job representing the Department of Defense in the most positive and professional manner."

When not performing on national television, the Ceremonial Brass performs its primary mission at Arlington National Cemetery, rendering final honors to fallen comrades-in-arms.

The Ceremonial Brass is one of eight performing units assigned to the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, under the direction of Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs.

The band has performed on the show every Independence Day since 1998.

"After 13 years in the Band and six or seven "Today" show appearances, it is easy to dismiss the gig as another job," said Master Sgt. Christopher Quade, U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass tubist. "But when I look at the people who are there to see the show live, and for some, it may be their once-in-a-life-time trip to the "Today" show - I play for them, so their experience is the best it can be."

The tubist would do it all over again.

"We love playing for the live crowds," he said, "It's a thrill for us to hear them react with such enthusiasm to our performance."

The "Today" show reaches an estimated 5.38 million viewers each morning and more than 17 million on the Fourth of July.

Some people tend to get nervous in front of a camera, but for these talented musicians it's a piece of cake.

"As far as the number of viewers, we've played on national television for millions of people in the past," said Sergeant Quade. "So, knowing that we're being watched by people all over the country doesn't bother us."