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• USAF Band of Flight to perform at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 • Concert commemorates Valentine's Day, Black History Month and Presidents Day • Admission is free
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Major R. Michael Mench will conduct the United States Air Force Band of Flight in their annual “Hearts, Heroes and Heritage” concert at the National Museum of the United States Air Force on Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy photo)
Major R. Michael Mench will conduct the United States Air Force Band of Flight in their annual “Hearts, Heroes and Heritage” concert at the National Museum of the United States Air Force on Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy photo)
by Staff Sgt. Mary Fessner-Tarjanyi
United States Air Force Band of Flight Public Affairs
1/30/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force Band of Flight Concert Band will perform its annual "Hearts, Heroes and Heritage" concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
This concert is part of an annual series presented by the Band of Flight at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
The program will celebrate Valentine's Day, while simultaneously paying tribute to Black History Month and Presidents Day.
Audience members who attended the Band of Flight's Veterans Day Concert last November and remember a performance by James "Kimo" Williams will be treated to another composition by this composer.
The United States Military Academy West Point Band commissioned "Buffalo Soldiers," by Williams for the bicentennial celebration of West Point in 2002. The piece pays tribute to the renowned Army black regiments of the American West. In the post-Civil War era, the U.S. Army formed the 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments, along with the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments. Many of the men in these all-black units had previously served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War.
Williams' 15-minute work includes narration, with excerpts of a speech given by Colin Powell at the dedication of the Buffalo Soldiers monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., as well as the words of Abraham Lincoln.
The evening's program will also feature the Band of Flight's newest flutist, Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nelson, as she plays the Jacques Ibert Flute Concerto. Airman Nelson is the past winner of several national flute competitions, and holds a Masters degree from DePaul University. She joined the band in 2011.
In addition, the band will perform the 1993 composition "Through Countless Halls of Air," by William Francis McBeth, who passed away last month. McBeth served with the 101st Airborne Band and the 98th Army Band from 1954 to 1956.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the free event. No tickets are required, but seating is limited to the first 1,200 people.
For more information about upcoming performances by the United States Air Force Band of Flight and to sign up to receive the band's electronic newsletter, please go to www.bandofflight.af.mil. The band is also on Facebook.
