Musicians vying for military band positions have to know their stuff before getting one of those coveted slots.
“When we hire our musicians, whether they are conductors or performers they are mission ready, there’s no technical school,” said Lt. Col. Michael Hoerber, associate conductor and director of operations for the United States Air Force Band, who spent 18 years as a high school band director before joining the Air Force 18 years ago.
The Air Force Band along with the Singing Sergeants will be performing at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.
Like Hoerber, most members of the band come in with high qualifications. They have worked as musicians in the civilian world, playing on cruise ships, teaching in high schools or community colleges or eking out a career gig by gig, and they often have multiple college degrees.
“The Air Force band career field is the most highly educated, if you’re counting proportion of degrees, of any enlisted career field in the U.S. Air Force,” he said.
Among the 55 musicians are several graduates of the University of Georgia; 15 singers make up the Singing Sergeants. The two groups will perform some selections separately. The singers will do some acapella pieces in addition to singing with the band.
Hoerber said the program offers a variety including a segment featuring the songs of Billy Joel, Elton John and Paul Simon as well as patriotic songs such as “God Bless America” and the ever-popular Armed Forces Medley.
Another section will pay tribute to stops along the 12-city tour including “Georgia On My Mind.”
Two of the UGA alums will be highlighted with solos during the concert.
Hoerber said his favorite part of any concert is playing the Armed Force Medley and seeing the men and women who stand when their branch is highlighted.
“That’s important to highlight and honor them,” he said.
He said it’s often emotional when he meets Vietnam veterans and thanks them for their service since many of them didn’t receive a welcome home. Hoerber’s late father served in Vietnam, and he said one of them could’ve served with his father so that group holds a special place.
The tour kicks off Oct. 14 and the band will travel to these cities.
10/14 – Newport News, Va.
10/15 – Raleigh, N.C.
10/16 – Louisburg, N.C.
10/17 – Fayetteville, N.C.
10/18 – Florence, S.C.
10/19 – Kannapolis, N.C.
10/20 – Charlotte, N.C.
10/21 – Columbia, S.C.
10/22 – Evans, Ga.
10/23 – Marietta, Ga.
10/24 – Athens, Ga.
10/25 – Columbus, Ga.
For more information, go to thecenterofcc.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
