USAFE Band tours Poland, builds partnerships through music

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WARSAW, Poland --  Roaring applause filled the halls of the Radom city hall concert hall.

Hundreds of Polish citizens stood and cheered, begging for an encore and a chance to hear the wonderful sounds emitting from the stage once more.

This scene occurred again and again as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Concert Band performed throughout the local communities surrounding Warsaw, Poland.

The performances were part of the band's nine day tour in Poland, which ends with a performance in the Polish Independence Day parade in Warsaw on Nov. 11.

The USAFE Concert Band's musical selections include songs from the Broadway stage and Hollywood screen, to the sound of New Orleans Dixieland and Big Band jazz.

You can sense the passion and energy in the air with every stroke of the conductor's hands.

"Music is the process of taking what is on the page in black and white and really turning it into musical color", said 1st Lt. Dustin Doyle, Air Force Academy Band flight commander, who was conducting the band during their tour in Poland.

Doyle flew-in from Colorado just days before their week-long tour, and joined the band upon hearing the USAFE Band commander had an unexpected emergency, and could not attend the festivities.

Although Doyle had only practiced with the band a few times prior to the performances, the band played as if they have been together for years.

Polish crowds in venues ranging from a local community center, to the Polish Air Force Academy, had the chance to witness the band's performances.

Using music to bridge language, cultural, societal and socio-economic differences, the band's goal is to advance international relationships and inspire positive and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.

"I think it is important to have bands in the Air Force", said Master Sgt. Tim Allums, trumpet player, "because it paves the way and bridges the gap to the people's hearts."

After each performance, men, women and children alike would stay back for an opportunity to meet the band members and a chance to get an autograph.

The smiles on the faces of all who came to attend the performances were more than enough to see the beneficial impact the band had on the local communities.

The band's mission is never over. But the Airmen representing the U.S. Air Force and touring countries across the world hope to create friendships and partnerships through music with each performance.