The United States Air Force Band of Liberty enjoyed a special visit on April 10 by a legendary icon in the band conducting world.
Colonel (ret) Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. and Professor Emeritus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, came to Hanscom Air Force Base to serve as guest clinician with the Band of Liberty’s Concert Band.
Col Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at which time he was awarded an unprecedented third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country. He served as Commander and Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Col Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, from 1985 to 1995, as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music.
A combat machine gunner with the United States Army's famed 29th Infantry Division in Europe during WW II, Gabriel received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the French Croix de Guerre.
Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education. In 1989, his alma mater conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Music degree and in 1997, he was further honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who’s Who in Music, 7th edition.
As Resident Conductor of the Fairfax Wind Symphony, Col Gabriel continues to appear as a clinician at major state, regional and university music festivals and guest conducts outstanding school, college, municipal and military bands as well as orchestras around the world.
Thank you so much, Colonel Gabriel, for sharing with us your adventures, artistry and wisdom! |
