BAND OF BROTHERS
Suitably, the United States Air Force Band will provide the patriotic soundtrack
L AST fall, Wes Whatley, the creative director of the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, headed down to Washington, D.C., in search of a military band that could convey the patriotic passion he wanted for this year’s fireworks show, titled Brave.
The result of his search: the United States Air Force Band, a group of 184 activeduty members of the Air Force who work full-time as musicians.
For the 25 minutes that the fireworks explode in the sky, the band will perform live from the fireworks’ base of operations in Long Island City, performing a soundtrack the group created for the show in January.
“We’re thrilled,” says Colonel Larry h. Lang, the commander and conductor of the band. “This is a spe- cial project and we’re glad to be a part of it.”
The group pre-recorded the Gloria and emilio estefan song “America” (see sto- ry, page 39) as well as CeCe Winans’ rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” In all, the group will be performing 11 patriotic songs during the show.
Says Lang: “It’s 25 minutes of flag-waving Americana.”
While Lang is honored to participate in the show, this is just one of some 1,700 performances a year for the Washington, D.C.-based band, which may find itself onstage multiple times throughout the day.
“We’ll play for the president down to a naval airman celebrating a promotion — sometimes three to four performances a day,” says Lang.
During their time in New York, the band will also perform at tomorrow’s Mets game and the July 5 Yankees game.
“It’s our job to honor those who served or who have served all over the world,” says Lang, “and to inspire patriotism.”