MUSIC

Rice University Shepherd School of Music presents a Guest Artist Recital - The United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants. Thursday, April 14 at 8pm. Duncan Recital Hall - Alice Pratt Brown Hall.

The United States Air Force Band is the Air Force's premier musical organization. It has endeared itself to millions of listeners for more than 60 years through its exhilarating music, engaging concerts and masterful recordings. Since its formation in 1941, The United States Air Force Band has brought superb music and exciting entertainment to music lovers around the globe, earning its reputation as "America's International Musical Ambassadors."

The largest musical ensemble of The United States Air Force Band is the Concert Band. This world-class symphonic wind ensemble presents over 100 concerts annually and performs a wide variety of repertoire from light classics, popular favorites and instrumental features, to classical transcriptions and original works for the band idiom. Its members represent the best-of-the-best in musical talent and education within the Air Force. Remaining true to the Air Force's pioneering spirit, the Concert Band has established an international reputation as a champion of new works for band, with dozens of world premieres to its credit. In fact, the Band sponsors a biennial competition to ensure that new compositions will continue to be produced.

Performing regularly for the general public in the greater Washington, D.C., area and on biannual community relations tours throughout the United States, The Air Force Concert Band is also in constant demand by many of the world's most highly respected professional musical organizations. Included among these are the American Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, College Band Directors National Association, Music Educators National Conference and The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.

People of every race, color, creed, walk of life and ideology have enjoyed performances by The United States Air Force Band. The Concert Band is proud to represent the United States as a component of The United States Air Force Band, "America's International Musical Ambassadors."

The Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force, is one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. It is also one of a select few singing groups internationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in vocal performance. Originally formed in 1945 from within the ranks of The United States Air Force Band, the chorus is now composed entirely of professional vocalists who have come from leading colleges, universities and music conservatories throughout the world; and who are all sergeants in the United States Air Force. Available positions are filled by audition only and are reserved for those singers who demonstrate the finest qualities of musicianship and vocal production.

The Singing Sergeants have appeared before every chief executive of the United States since President Truman, as well as with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Houston and National Symphony Orchestras, and both the Boston and Cincinnati Pops. The group has performed at White House, State Department, Supreme Court, Congressional, Department of Defense and high-level civilian functions. The Singing Sergeants have performed at the New York World's Fair, in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The Singing Sergeants have been featured at divisional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference and Chorus America. Additionally, an important part of the chorus' performing schedule is supporting the president and vice president of the United States, as well as top government and military officials. Through these varied venues the Singing Sergeants reach a broad audience with the beauty and language of music.

Presenting the music of America to the people of the world, the chorus has appeared before millions of people in live performances and countless more on radio and television programs. The Singing Sergeants have performed in all 50 states and 49 countries, including an historic trip to the Peoples Republic of China, where it was acclaimed as one of today's leading choral groups. It is through these goodwill tours that The Singing Sergeants bring the people of America and the world together.

Scheduled Program:
Program TBA.
Ticket Information TBA