United States Air Force Band of Liberty

The United States Air Force Band of Liberty was a United States military band of forty-five active duty members, based at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. It entertains audiences in New England, New York, and New Jersey. The band was inactivated in summer 2013. Some of its personnel joined the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, which took up some of its functions.[1]

United States Air Force Band of Liberty
Logo
Active1978–2013
TypeMilitary band
Garrison/HQHanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts
Motto(s)"The Air Force's
Musical Ambassadors
for the Northeast"

History

The band is a select group of professional Airmen-musicians who support the global Air Force mission by providing musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events, and by fostering America’s rich national heritage. Originally known as the 541st Air Force Band of the Southwest, stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, the unit relocated to Pease AFB, New Hampshire in 1978. Renamed the Air Force Band of New England, the band brought its musical message of pride, patriotism, and professionalism to concerts and events throughout New England. In 1991, the band received its current name and was assigned to Electronics Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, in Massachusetts. This change fostered another new name: the United States Air Force Band of Liberty.

The Band of Liberty consists of forty-five active duty personnel assigned to two primary ensembles—the Concert Band and the Afterburner popular music group. The organization has several subgroups, including the Ceremonial/Marching Band, Liberty Big Band, Colonial Brass, New England Winds woodwind quintet, and the Bay State Winds clarinet quartet. The band performs around four hundred engagements a year, and has appeared at such venues as Lincoln Center in New York City and the Hatch Shell in Boston. On January 20, 2009, the Band of Liberty's Colonial Brass provided musical support at the Farewell Ceremony of President George W. Bush. On January 3, 2007, members of the Ceremonial Band performed at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, Michigan for the state funeral of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States.

As part of larger restructuring of and cuts to military bands, the band was disbanded in mid-2013.[2]

Mission statement
Air Force Music Professionals

Support the Global Air Force Mission—by fostering our national heritage and providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events

Vision

World Class—Mission Ready Air Force Music Professionals
using the power of music to:
– Inspire our Air Force and the great nation we serve
– Produce innovative musical programs and products
– Communicate Air Force excellence

Performing Ensembles
The Air Force Band of Liberty's Marching Band participated in the Patriot’s Day parade, Lexington MA, April 17, 2006
  • Concert Band
  • The Ambassadors Big Band
  • Liberty Big Band
  • Afterburner pop music group
  • Ceremonial/Marching Band
  • Colonial Brass
  • New England Winds Woodwind Quintet
  • Bay State Winds Clarinet Quartet
  • Liberty Saxophone Quartet
  • Protocol Jazz Combos

Discography
  • The New England Winds/The Colonial Brass—January 2008
  • On Silver Wings—Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force—July 2007 (Concert Band)
  • Sampler—May 2007 (Afterburner)
  • The Most Wonderful Time—November 2006 (Concert Band/Liberty Pops)
  • Rock Rhythm & Blue—July 2005 (Afterburner)
  • Ain't Nothin' Nu—December 2004 (Liberty Big Band née Ambassadors Jazz Ensemble)
  • New England Holidays—December 2003 (various ensembles)
  • Salute to the American Spirit—July 2003 (Concert Band)

Musician Education/Experience

Guest Artists and Collaborations
Afterburner was the opening act for the Charlie Daniels Band at the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, Readington NJ, July 29, 2006

See also

References
  1. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/03/05/the-air-force-band-liberty-based-hanscom-prepares-play-its-final-notes/f08xgx8OhxTM9g0AgJbWYK/story.html
  2. Svan, Jennifer H. (March 7, 2012). "Air Force cutting number, size of stateside bands". Stars and Stripes.
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