U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific plays for local community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie J. Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  In the past 25 years, the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Alaska, has gone from 60 personnel to 14; transitioning from a concert band to a rock band and brass ensemble. However, even now, after more than 70 years of performing, the band is still going strong.

During the last few months, the band has been preparing for its annual "Sounds of the Season" performance at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Partnering with the Atwood Foundation, the band has been able to perform the concert for more than
20 years.

"Many people look forward to the concert yearly," said Air Force Master Sgt. John Rider, director of operation for the band. "The community has been very supportive to the military and this is one of our ways we can publicly thank them."

Both the rock band and the brass ensemble will perform at the concert, and in one of the band's practice sessions, each group spent more than two hours preparing and practicing songs.

"This year, the performance will be different than previous years," Rider said. "We are doing a historical look at the 70 years of this band in Alaska."

In addition, he said the band had invited 18 alumni back to re-create the sounds this band is really known for.

During the concert, the band plans on having a photo slideshow of past years' performances as well as a variety of video greetings from past commanders.

"Alaskans have come to these concerts for more than 25 years and they have seen a remarkable change in the different configurations," Rider said.

The concert will be televised on KTUU Christmas Eve and Christmas Day during a one-hour special.

Rider said initially this was a farewell concert; however since the band relocation is on hold, that is no longer the case.

"We hope to still be here, but we honestly have no idea what will happen," he said.

The concert will be hosted Dec. 3 and 4. The Rock Band Top Cover will be playing for the tree lighting Dec. 5, as well as a scheduled performance at the Loussac Library in Anchorage on Dec. 13.

The Brass Quintet will also perform in Guam and Saipan in the coming month, spreading holiday cheer at Andersen Air Force Base and to the community.