USAFE Band back on the road

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steven M. Przyzycki
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band is making final preparations for their upcoming tour across Germany and France.

The week-long tour which begins Nov. 7, will feature performances from the Band's jazz ensemble, The Ambassadors, as well as the Concert Band. The tour will also include a Veteran's Day performance in Marnes-la-Coquette, France.

"Throughout the show will be moments in which we pay tribute to veterans of all nations who have answered their nations' calls in times of need," said Lt. Col. Michael Mench, commander of the USAFE Band.

"It is upon their shoulders that our countries were built," Mench said. "The freedom and way of life of so many nations has been preserved by the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. We owe them all our endless gratitude."

The USAFE Marching Band will also perform at a Veteran's Day Ceremony on November 11 at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France just outside Paris beginning at 9:30 am. The Lafayette Escadrille was an elite squadron of the French air force that flew sorties during World War I composed largely of American volunteer pilots.

Due to sequestration and the recent government shutdown, the USAFE Band had limitations imposed on travel. Many of those restrictions have been lifted allowing the band to travel throughout the USAFE-AFAFRICA theatre in support of Building Partnership initiatives.

"It is great to see the band getting back out on the road again," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Benton, NCO in charge of the Band's public affairs section. "The government shut down coupled with sequestration stifled our operations tempo. Now, we can get back to strengthening partnerships with our key allies. As global instability remains ever present, the Band's outreach proves to be instrumental in building diplomatic relations crucial to our Air Force's mission."

Staff Sgt. Chantelle Friedman, a clarinetist with the Band, shares Benton's enthusiasm.

"It is so refreshing to get back to doing what we do best," she said. "We are playing a wide variety of music, and I know there is something for everyone on this tour."

The tour will feature five concerts including performances in Saint Mihel and Verdun, France.

Senior Airman Kirkpatrick, a trumpeter with the Band, said anyone who comes out to see the Band perform wont' be disappointed.

"We are playing some great pieces," he said. "One of the more programmatic works is "'To Tame the Perilous Skies.'" The title is symbolic of what we do. Unfortunately, the skies are indeed often 'perilous,' throughout the world. As musical ambassadors in the U.S. Air Force, we put America's best foot forward along with the great airmen and pilots from our allied nations. We capitalize on these relationships throughout Europe in a constant effort to make those skies friendlier."

The concerts will also feature musical salutes to two of America's most renowned female vocalists, Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald.

"These two singers are iconic figures in American music," said 1st Lt Thomas Gamboa, the Band's flight commander and associate conductor. "Their tunes are familiar to many people regardless of where they are from or their age. This music transcends geographical and generational barriers."

"We are looking forward to a great tour," Mench said. "Building partnerships throughout Europe is extremely rewarding for all of us in the USAFE Band."

For a complete listing of locations the USAFE Band will perform at during their tour click here.