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 Photo courtesy photo The Air Force group Galaxy Brass will berform a free concert at the Columbia Theatre on Tuesday. |
Air Force Brass offers free concert in LV
Thursday, March 4, 2004 8:40 AM PST
By Staff
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E-mail this articleAn Air Force band that sounds much like the pop group Chicago will play a free concert in Longview next week.
The Galaxy Brass does Broadway show tunes and classic rock in the style of 1970s horn bands.
It includes two singers, two trumpets, two trombones, two percussionists and horn, guitar and bass. It's one of 10 groups that make up the 76-member U.S. Air Force Academy Band.
Though band members are stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., they're enlisted in the Air Force, not students.
Members audition to get into the group. If they make it, they enlist in the Air Force and have to go through basic training, then go straight to the band.
"That's our career as long as we want to stay in," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Thomas, the group's horn player.
All of the members of the Galaxy Brass have bachelor's degrees in music performance or music education and extensive performing experience.
The group's leader is Master Sgt. Bill Applegate, a guitarist who's proficient in jazz, classical and rock styles.
Joining the group in Longview will be xxx local high school students: From Mark Morris, Jaron DeWhitt, trombone; Rebecca McGuire, clarinet; and David Berger, clarinet. From R.A. Long, Phoebe Long, clarinet; Danny Vogel, tuba; and Jeff Wollenberg, clarinet.
The group tours about four times a year for recruiting and community relations.
Going overseas is "not our main mission," Thomas said.
However, they could be deployed to Iraq, he said. "They can send us over there. If and when they do, we will be musicians first."
If you go:
What: The Galaxy Brass, an 11-member band from the U.S. Air Force Academy that does traditional brass music, Broadway tunes and classic rock.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Columbia Theatre.
Admission: Free. Tickets available at The Daily News, which is sponsoring the concert. Those without tickets may show up at door at 6:45 p.m. in case seats remain.
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