New England Winds

Bringing an attitude that is all their own, the New England Winds create an intimate musical setting that will capture the imagination of any audience. This group of five is well versed in traditional quintet repertoire and performs musical selections ranging from the 18th century to the contemporary period. With the talents of the band’s staff arrangers, the group surprises the listener with their grasp of popular, Broadway, patriotic, jazz and folk music. Tailoring programs to their audiences, the New England Winds is equally popular with all ages. Each concert is an entertaining combination of musical excellence and showmanship.

Personnel

Staff Sergeant Andrew Fordham (Noncommissioned Officer-In-Charge) is a native of German Valley, Illinois and a hornist with the United States Air Force Liberty Pops, New England Winds, and Ceremonial Band. Sergeant Fordham graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University in 1998. His teachers include John Fairfield of Northern Illinois and Tod Bowermaster of the St. Louis Symphony. Sergeant Fordham enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1998, and has been assigned to the Band of Mid-America, the USAF Band, and the Band of Liberty.

Staff Sergeant Avril Claytor hails from Columbus, Ohio. Sergeant Claytor received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Industry at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She was chosen to be a graduate teaching assistant at Kent State University, where she completed her Master's degree in flute performance. As both a graduate and an undergraduate she was a member of woodwind quintets selected as finalists for the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition in Pasadena, California. While living in Great Falls, Montana, she was the principal flutist with the Great Falls Symphony, flutist with the Chinook Winds Quintet and flute instructor at the University of Great Falls. She has also performed with theater group Playback Columbus in Ohio and the Salem Philharmonic Orchestra in Massachusetts. Her private teachers include Ingrid Harrison, Heidi Ruby, Melody Jones, and Diane McCloskey Fiocca. Sergeant Claytor joined the United States Air Force in June 2001 and received her first assignment with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty.

Staff Sergeant Richard Hobson is a native of Lexington, South Carolina, and a clarinetist with the United States Air Force Liberty Pops, New England Winds, and Drum Major for the Ceremonial Band. Sergeant Hobson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. During this time Sergeant Hobson performed with professional groups such as the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Opera, the Mobile Opera, and the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera. He has studied clarinet privately under Doug Graham, Wilbur Moreland, and Judi Lubritz Shirley. Sergeant Hobson enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 2001 and received his first assignment with the United States Air Force Band of Liberty.

Senior Airman Kate Nettles is from Roanoke, Virginia and an oboist with the United States Air Force Liberty Pops, New England Winds, and Ceremonial Band. In 2000 she received her Bachelor of Music degree Summa Cum Laude from the Ohio State University. Continuing her studies with Robert Sorton at Ohio State, Kate earned her Master of Music in 2002 with a University Fellowship and was named a 2002 Concerto Competition winner. Before enlisting in the United States Air Force in November 2003, Airman Nettles performed with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Opera Roanoke, West Virginia Symphony, Seneca Chamber Orchestra, River Cities Symphony, Huntington Symphony Orchestra and the Dayton Philharmonic. She is currently a student of Humbert Lucarelli.

Senior Airman Christopher Stahl, bassoonist, hails from Coram, New York. In 1997 Airman Stahl graduated from high school and had the honor of performing in Carnegie Hall. He continued his musical studies at George Mason University where he performed two honors recitals and was the 2001 concerto competition winner. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from George Mason University and two years later, a Master of Music Performance degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Airman Stahl has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra in College Station, Texas, and the Waco Symphony Orchestra in Waco, Texas. His teachers include Trumann Harris and Kristen Wolfe Jensen. In August 1998, Airman Stahl enlisted in the United States Air Force. He has been a member of the 553rd Air National Guard Band in Pennsylvania and the 531st Guard Band in Texas. In June 2003 Airman Stahl joined the United States Air Force Band of Liberty.