There are currently 12 Air Force Bands in the USA. They include the US Air Force Academy Band, The US Air Force Band, US Air Force Band of Liberty and the US Air Reserve Band to name a few. Each of the bands plays in the geographical region in which it is assigned.

The band began in 1941 as the Bolling Army Air Forces Band. The band’s mission according to its website is “to deliver world-class musical products that inspire emotions, create positive impressions and communicate information according to Air Force objectives for the defense of the United States of America.”

To be considered for the United States Air Force Band, applicants must be between 18 and 34 years old. Like some of the other military bands, a waiver can be requested if you are older than 34. Other requirements must be met as well, such as being physically fit and passing yearly physicals. There is also a standard weight to height ratio that must be maintained. More information is found on the Air Force Band website.

Prior to becoming a member of the band, a Secret Security clearance is conducted. Failure to obtain clearance results in a member being asked to leave the US Air Force Band.

How to join

The first step in getting into the US Air Force Band is to submit a resume. Resumes are generally submitted along with a taped CD of a performance. Once the audition committee reviews the CD and resume, they will contact you. A telephone interview is normally done at this time to ensure that you are a likely candidate for the band. The Air Force band website states that some members of the group should have a high school diploma to qualify. Others, such as conductors, should ideally have a bachelor’s degree in music and be younger than 35 years old at the time of auditioning.

After the telephone interview, applicants whose responses did not indicate a problem with security clearance will be invited to a live audition. At this audition, prospective members must be able to demonstrate proficiency in sight reading, music theory and ensemble skills.

Upon successfully getting through the audition, applicants are officially invited to join the Air Force Band. At this time they will need to complete enlistment into the United States Air Force Band and the US Air Force. Recruits must then take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The final stage in becoming a member of the Band is to undergo basic training in Texas.

Successful completion of the six and a half week training at Lackland Air Force Base guarantees assignment to the Air Force Band. Once assigned, trainees must move to the Bolling Air Force Base, located in Washington, D.C.

As long as you are enlisted in the Air Force you will be a member of the United States Air Force Band. Exceptions are made if your commander permits you to leave or your skill level falls.

The US Air Force Band plays at various functions, and it is normally the military band of choice at Arlington Cemetery. The Ceremonial Brass performs not only at Arlington, but at other ceremonies that have a nationalistic purpose. The Air Force Band is known as the training ground for some of the nation’s best musicians.

Do you have musical talents and a desire to help maintain the morale of your fellow airmen through music? Or do you want to help to increase public awareness of the role and function of the US Air Force? If you answered yes to these questions, perhaps you have what it takes to be a member of the US Air Force Band.

Last evening Bev & I drove over to the band shell in Lithia Park in Ashland to hear one of the Air Force Bands. This particular unit was from the bay area of California, and included some outstanding musicians and arrangers. If you think of military bands as groups that simply play marches, you’re in for a real surprise. They play marches, classics, pop, jazz & more, and have fun doing it.

The United States Air Force Band is a musical organization with an outstanding record of achievement of more than 60 years. Known as “America’s International Musical Ambassadors,” it has won the hearts of millions of music lovers throughout the world.

The band’s official military life began on September 24, 1941, with the formation of the Bolling Army Air Forces Band under the sponsorship of Lieutenant L.P. Holcomb, commanding officer of the Air Base Group at Bolling Field. Since that time, the Band has grown from relative obscurity to stardom under the leadership of ten diverse and talented conductors.

From 1955 to 1961, the Air Force Band was joined by the WAF Band as twin ambassadors of the USAF, though USAF policy kept the WAF Band from overseas appearances. The WAF Band, founded as a local base band in 1951 at Lackland Air Force Base, were stationed alongside the all-male USAF Band at Bolling from 1953 to 1957 after which the popular women’s band was invited to Norton Air Force Base where they stayed until being disbanded in 1961. Some 235 women served in the WAF Band’s ten-year lifespan.

Over the years, The United States Air Force Band has performed live for over 100 million people. The band has also been broadcast via television and radio.

The band has embarked on 25 international concert tours, with performances in more than 50 countries and 42 world capitals. The musicians in The United States Air Force Band seek to promote better understanding between all people of the world, traveling as goodwill ambassadors.

From Wikipedia

If you haven’t ever heard any of the military bands in concert, you’re in for a treat.