US Air Force Band prepares for Inaugural Parade–Day 2
January 13th, 2009
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Below is the third part of our first-hand accounts of the U.S. Air Force Band's preparation for the upcoming Inauguration. Here, Master Sergeant Brian McCurdy (pictured) discusses Day 2 of the Band's rehearsals.
Well, today was similar to yesterday, except there were several media outlets present to document the occasion. Once again, the weather did not sympathize with our situation, and the band marched through the morning darkness against a cold, steady rain.
Because of the unique size of the ensemble (99 members), we rehearsed inside of a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. We went over some commands from our drum Major, CMSgt. Ed Teleky (below right). This will be Chief Teleky’s sixth Inaugural parade.
After the Chief’s briefing, our commander Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, gave us some musical pointers.
“Play the phrases expressively. Whatever we do in here we’ll lose 50% of in the parade,” the Colonel said.
He was referring to the fact that it is very difficult to march outside in the cold, maintain a perfect interval with the person in front of you, avoid the distraction of worldwide attention, and still play! With so much starting and stopping during a parade of this magnitude, the music needs to be second nature.
After the indoor portion of the rehearsal was complete, it was time to move out onto the flight line. In my experience, there is always a steady wind on the flight line, no matter what time of year or what the weather conditions dictate. I am no meteorologist, but I’m convinced that Air Force bases are magnets for wind gusts!
This was a great opportunity for members of the local media to get some video of the band. Throughout the morning, various local news programs were popping in and out of our rehearsal with live feeds, and they were also taping material for future use in late-day and evening news broadcasts. Colonel Layendecker appeared live in studio on our [DC] local News Channel 8.
We rehearsed the parade sequence outside several times, with each repetition getting a little better. Once we perfected our music and marching, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, the deputy commander of the USAF Band, gave some much needed words of encouragement. “I am amazed at your incredible professionalism, especially in these conditions!” I think many of us were amazed, too.
Below: CMSgt. Elizabeth Schouten, clarinetist, is interviewed by the media during rehearsal. This is her 7th, and final, inaugural parade, as she’s soon retiring after 28 years of service.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs
Well, today was similar to yesterday, except there were several media outlets present to document the occasion. Once again, the weather did not sympathize with our situation, and the band marched through the morning darkness against a cold, steady rain.Because of the unique size of the ensemble (99 members), we rehearsed inside of a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. We went over some commands from our drum Major, CMSgt. Ed Teleky (below right). This will be Chief Teleky’s sixth Inaugural parade.
After the Chief’s briefing, our commander Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, gave us some musical pointers.
“Play the phrases expressively. Whatever we do in here we’ll lose 50% of in the parade,” the Colonel said.
He was referring to the fact that it is very difficult to march outside in the cold, maintain a perfect interval with the person in front of you, avoid the distraction of worldwide attention, and still play! With so much starting and stopping during a parade of this magnitude, the music needs to be second nature.
After the indoor portion of the rehearsal was complete, it was time to move out onto the flight line. In my experience, there is always a steady wind on the flight line, no matter what time of year or what the weather conditions dictate. I am no meteorologist, but I’m convinced that Air Force bases are magnets for wind gusts!
This was a great opportunity for members of the local media to get some video of the band. Throughout the morning, various local news programs were popping in and out of our rehearsal with live feeds, and they were also taping material for future use in late-day and evening news broadcasts. Colonel Layendecker appeared live in studio on our [DC] local News Channel 8.
We rehearsed the parade sequence outside several times, with each repetition getting a little better. Once we perfected our music and marching, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, the deputy commander of the USAF Band, gave some much needed words of encouragement. “I am amazed at your incredible professionalism, especially in these conditions!” I think many of us were amazed, too.
Below: CMSgt. Elizabeth Schouten, clarinetist, is interviewed by the media during rehearsal. This is her 7th, and final, inaugural parade, as she’s soon retiring after 28 years of service.
Posted by Paul F. Bove, Air Force Public Affairs
Air Force Band, Andrews AFB, Barack Obama, Bolling, U.S. Air Force, Washington DC, air force bluetube, air force live, presidential inauguration
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