Commander’s Message
April 2007

Greetings from Hanscom Air Force Base! Spring is finally in the air, as the last of our snow is almost gone. For the Northeast, this time of year brings with it anticipation and excitement for many reasons. For some, it’s the start of a new season of Boston Red Sox baseball; for others it may be Patriots Day festivities or the annual running of the Boston Marathon. However, for the music lovers in the region, it’s a full slate of tours and performances by your United States Air Force Band of Liberty!

The band is already busy preparing for the upcoming warmer months. To aid us in our musical preparation and growth, on April 10 we were fortunate to have Colonel (ret) Arnald Gabriel as our guest conductor and clinician. Col Gabriel is Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Band and a true legend in the Air Force Band career field. During his tenure, the USAF Band soared to new heights via the initiation of national concert tours, international appearances in Latin America and Europe, a vibrant commissioning program to expand the concert band repertoire, and a guest artist series which enabled the band to collaborate with many prominent actors, celebrities, musicians and conductors. The Band of Liberty offers its deepest thanks to Col Gabriel for his tutelage, inspiration, and his continued service to the Air Force and music education!

As we celebrate the Air Force’s 60th Anniversary year, our schedule continues to fill with performances to honor the heritage of the greatest air and space force in the world. The festivities all lead up to our 60th Anniversary commemorative performance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Auditorium on September 15 with special guest Maureen McGovern. Stay tuned for further details, and please check out our Concert Calendar for information on all Band of Liberty performances.

As always, we would love to see you at an upcoming Band of Liberty concert! Afterward, please come up and say “Hello”—we really look forward to meeting our audience members in person. We also appreciate your feedback, which can be forwarded to us by visiting our website’s Comments page. While you are there, please subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the band’s latest news and highlights!

As the Air Force’s Musical Ambassadors for the Northeast, the men and women of the United States Air Force Band of Liberty take great pride telling the Air Force story via the power of music—during this 60th Anniversary year for the United States Air Force, and every year. Thank you so much for your support!

Lieutenant Colonel Larry H. Lang
Commander and Conductor