 |
| Home > Inaugural Blog |
|
Inaugural Blog
By MSgt Brian McCurdy and TSgt Jay Heltzer
In the days leading up to the inauguration, two bandmembers--Master Sgt. Brian McCurdy and Tech. Sgt. Jay Heltzer--will post blogs here and on on the official AirForceLive blog. Be sure to check back for updates.
Note: Videos on this page are posted on Air Force Blue Tube and may not be viewable in the dot-mil domain.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009
Inauguration Day -- the Parade
posted by MSgt Brian McCurdy
 This was an Inauguration Day that members of the United States Air Force Band and will never forget. According to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, more than 5,000 men and women in uniform provided ceremonial support on January 20th. The obvious historic nature of this day was enough to make the event memorable, let alone the concerns about traffic jams, security and logistics. The band went to great measures to ensure that the day would go off without a hitch.
On the eve of the Inaugural parade, band members slept overnight in Historic Hangar II at Bolling Air Force Base--the home of The USAF Band. This was highly unusual, but due to the fact that every major route into The District was going to be closed on the day of the Inaugural at 2:00 a.m., there was little doubt that such action was necessary.
Most of the day was spent waiting in one of three places: on the bus, in the warming tent or in the middle of Constitution Avenue. After sitting on the buses for several hours, Band members went through the security screening in the Pentagon parking lot. (For some timely perspective, this was when the oath of office was being administered across the Potomac River at the U.S. Capitol Building.) After more time on the bus, it was time to proceed to the warming tent.
At past Inaugurals, the warming tents were set up on the mall in front of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the huge crowds that were expected this year the warming tents were moved to the Ellipse in front of The White House. As a result, the walk to the start of the parade at 7th street was to be quite a bit longer than in years past.
One of the most gueling parts of the day was a two-hour period where Band members stood in formation in front of the Museum of Natural History on Constitution Avenue waiting for the parade to begin.
The college band that was directly in front of the USAF Band, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was waiting in the cold as well. In order to keep warm, they began an impromptu performance of their own music, complete with choreography. Just watching them made everyone in the band feel warmer! Tech. Sgt. Willie Clark, one of the nine Sousaphone players in The Air Force Band, led a quasi-conga line (regimental style) to help keep band members moving. His actions helped keep the band warm and caused time to pass more quickly!
When it was finally time to step off, band members were glad to be moving and playing. The ensemble alternated between two marches: "The Washington Post" and "Trombones Triumphant." Once the Band arrived at the Presidential reviewing stand on Pennsylvania Avenue, it was time for four "Ruffles and Flourishes" and "The Air Force Song." An enthusiastic salute from our new Commander-in-Chief was well worth the wait.
At 6:30 p.m., the Band returned to the buses. For most, the day was done and the mission was complete; but for others, it was off to one of the ten official Inaugural Balls. The buses made it back to Bolling AFB at 7:30 p.m., nearly 24 hours after the journey began the day before. Those who were performing at the balls would arrive back at base early Wednesday morning--all in a day's work!
While much of the Inauguration Day was spent waiting in various locations, members of the USAF Band never forgot the overwhelming historical importance of this occasion. It was an honor to be a small part of such a big celebration of freedom and democracy.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009
Inauguration Day - What a Ball! "MTV Youth Ball"
posted by TSgt Jay Heltzer
 On January 20, 2009, history was made, as my dreams became a reality...
I WAS ON MTV!!!
As tired as I was after marching in the parade, and the 23 hours preceding, the amazing day was going up to a whole new level. I was assigned to one of two Inauguration Ball bands that the USAF Band was appearing at. Our band was performing at the MTV Youth Ball, geared for 18-35 year olds, to which President Obama said "I've been looking forward to this ball for quite some time because, when you look at the history of this campaign... (it) was inspired by, was energized by young people all across America."
We entered the hotel through the employee's entrance on the side, and joined a crowd made up of police, busboys, hotel cooks, the press, and Secret Service agent. With chaos like this, the best thing to do is just stand still and wait to be told what to do next. What was announced next surprised me to no end. A secret service agent near the metal detector yells out "I NEED TO GET THE BAND IN FIRST. EVERYONE MOVE ASIDE!" I can't remember the last time I ever participated in anything as a musician, and got treated that well. We got shown to our holding room, where we enjoyed the briefest of rests before heading down to the ballroom for our own sound check. Long before our arrival, we could hear the sound check of Kanye West on his song "Love Lockdown." Even at a sound check, he was and is a very tough act to follow.
Sound check... sound check complete.
Once we got back up to the room, we knew we had a few hours free before we needed to be back ready to play. Being an MTV event, we knew there would be other celebrities there, and some of our members went searching them out. About 20 minutes later, 5 of them return, giddy as can be, saying they got some photographs with actress, Rosario Dawson.
Once it was time to go, we headed back to the ballroom, passing Demi Moore in the kitchen. Kanye was warming the crowd for us. Very nice. We entered the stage to great applause, and even a few chants of "U.S.A." We warmed up the crowd with some patriotic tunes like God Bless America, and Washington Post, which much to our surprise, got the attendees singing along! Then it was time for honors. After the traditional 4 Ruffles and Flourishes, the anticipated announcement began, and it went something like this:
Announcer: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of th -"
Crowd: "WWHAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
This wall of sound from the 7,000+ attendees was nothing like I have ever experienced before. The wave of enthusiasm hit me in the chest like a jet taking off. This crowd was very amped to see him (and us too, right?). After his three minutes of talking, thanking the guests for their support, he gave his first command to us as Commander in Chief:
"Hit it band!"
...and we were off with the traditional first dance of "At Last." With MSgt Kevin Burns playing the soulful melody on trumpet, the first couple danced away "old school" style, before exiting the stage to the melody of the "Queen City" march, and off to his next ball.
Passing Pete Wentz of the band Fallout Boy talking to Kanye West, and passing Cher outside the hotel, we jumped aboard the bus with great satisfaction knowing that our mission for the day was in fact, complete.
The events of the Inaugural, including the planning, the rehearsing, the preparing and executing are both grueling, yet honorable. As dog-tired as we all were, we were part of history. Any Inaugural is an historic event, and there are many in the building that have done plenty - 6 for our Drum Major, CMSgt Ed Teleky, and now 7, a new record, for CMSgt Elizabeth Schouten. While it was only my second one, already I can be sure that this one will rank at the top of all the ones that I do for quite some time. Only 1,460 days till the next one. Better get some sleep!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2009
Dress Rehearsal
posted by TSgt Jay Heltzer
Day 4 - The Dress Rehearsal
A large performance of any kind needs a good run-through. It's even better when you can duplicate "day of" conditions including time, weather, and rehearsing at the actual performance site. Today was that day.
Despite the 0545 call time, we were greeted at the Band hangar by a "grab and go" breakfast sponsored by the USAF Band's Chiefs Group. Bagels and cream cheese, fruit, granola bars, hard-boiled eggs, donuts, juice, coffee, and water were waiting for us, and made a great start to the morning. We were all quite grateful for the hard work of our chief master sergeants in the Band.
After departing, we were led to our holding area. This is a place for all the military units to get comfortable, since we would be spending anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours there on Inauguration day. Luckily I planned for the worst. I finished several Sudokus, a couple games on my PSP, I watched the movie Hancock on my iPod, and napped for 20 minutes.
First thing I learned when I joined the military was the phrase "hurry up and wait." This best describes our morning. Once it was time to move, we ventured closer to the parade site, "hurried" off the busses, ready to go, and walked over to where we step off for the parade, and "waited,"
We finally were able to start the rehearsal and away we went. In as many rehearsals I have been in as a musician, this was one of the first parade rehearsals I can recall that was rehearsed on the actual street. It takes a great coordinated effort by any city to shut down its main roads on a Sunday for a parade, much less a parade rehearsal, even if it's for the Inaugural. But there we were on Pennsylvania Avenue, playing "Washington Post" loud and proud.
Despite the fact it wasn't an official performance, there were still people on the streets, waving, taking pictures, and celebrating our efforts. There were also joggers, church-goers, and tourists, all with puzzled looks on their faces. Don't mind us. Just passing through, playing the Air Force song. Nothing to see here.
Like any parade, there were several starts and stops. At one point we stopped in front of a Brazilian style Steakhouse, and my thoughts quickly turned to warmth and food. Sadly, we began marching again. Guess I'll eat afterwards.
A couple more corners to turn, a pass in front of the Presidential Platform, which was still under construction that day, and then we're done. I think we are ready. I hope so. Not sure how many more of these cold and early days I can handle.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2009
Dress Rehearsal
posted by MSgt Brian McCurdy
Every big event that I've ever been a part of in the band has always had a dress rehearsal. Sometimes that means checking isolated areas of the performance, and other times it involves a straight run-through without any stops. Sunday was the ultimate dress rehearsal, and not a single aspect of Inauguration Day was overlooked.
Upon arrival, all band members had to sign in, put on our uniforms and get on the bus. Our report time was 5:45 a.m., and the bus was scheduled to leave at 6:15. Our Chiefs Group, composed of all of the Chief Master Sergeants in the USAF Band, sponsored a continental breakfast. This was a very welcomed sight to those of us who tend to overlook such matters!
One of the aspects we rehearsed on Sunday was getting through security. Each member has to be screened and each bus must be swept. With such anticipation for this Inaugural in particular, security is not to be taken lightly.
Another important part of our dress rehearsal was waiting. That's right--waiting! On Inauguration Day, 80% of our time will be spent waiting (incidentally 10% will be spent on security, and 10% on the actual parade!). This part was not simulated in actuality, because we only waited about 3 hours on the bus before step-off. We could be waiting about 6-7 hours on the big day.
The actual parade march during our rehearsal took about 1 ½ hours. This included two ten-minute delays while we waited for some discrepancies to get straightened out in front of us.
During the parade route, the band will march to a drum cadence and play two marches: The Washington Post and Trombones Triumphant. As we get closer to the Presidential viewing stand, there are signs posted by the Inaugural Committee to let bands know when to stop playing and render honors. We have very specific signals from our drum major and percussion section that allow us to clearly execute this. Personally, I find it amusing to see a sign that reads "band stop playing here".
We finished around noon, and got back on the buses to head back to base. All in all, things went pretty well. Now for the real challenge: waiting!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2009
Day 3 - "Well, at least its windy!"
posted by TSgt Jay Heltzer
Another rehearsal day out at Andrews AFB. Thankfully the rains of yesterday have passed, and in its wake, were left 30 m.p.h. winds. After yesterday, the windy shock when we walked outside prompted the above quote by one of my trombone colleagues, with a certain bite in his voice. We started out in the hangar like the previous two days, and then hit the flight line again. This time, instead of the media presence (along with a 33-degree chill, and sheets of rain) we were joined by leadership from the 11th Wing Operations Group. The boss of our boss wanted to see how boss we were. Generally this doesn't raise the pressure of the performance for several innocent reasons. First of all, we are pleased to be led at many levels by Colonels who are very supportive, very approachable, easy to talk to, and who are crazy about the job we do. Second, we will still do our best (under all conditions) to the best of our abilities, no matter who is present. Still there were challenges to be met that would aid in our preparation for January 20th. Regardless of how much you prepare there are things out of your control.
The aforementioned winds certainly posed a challenge in many ways. First of all, when we know of windy conditions, there are times that the drum major will call for chin straps to be lowered to prevent hats from flying around. It wasn't called, and there were a few gusts that caused me to grab my hat before it flew off into suburban Maryland. When you are carrying a semi- to large instrument, the wind wants to move it around. The trombone is an odd shaped instrument that rests on one side of your body. While everyone had it bad in some way or another, the medal of honor for wind resistance goes to the tuba section. 9 sousaphones, holding their own with a gigantic sail over their heads, have it the worst. You don't really prepare for that. They don't do wind drills when not working. They may ask for PT credit that day, but it usually just gets muscled through.
The other challenge was also out of our control. Andrews AFB has a fully operational flight line, which was in grand display that morning. As we were doing laps rotating our Inaugural repertoire, there were several F-16's, and Navy jets doing exercises on and off the runway. A 99 piece band has an impressive sound, but it just takes one fighter jet to win that arm wrestling contest. The decibel count coming out of those engines must have been off the chart, and made Washington Post sound like a brief murmur. A bit hard for anyone to concentrate under those conditions, but we did our best.
We can't control the wind, and we can't control the sound volume around us, but we can always do our best to do our best.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009
Day 2 - Let it Rain...
posted by TSgt Jay Heltzer
Once the rain started on Tuesday, we knew it would not stop for us Wednesday morning. The drive to work was wet. The loading of the busses was wet. The indoor rehearsal in the hangar sounded wet outside. Then we went outside...
Wet.
I don't think there is a single human on the planet who enjoys standing outside in the rain at 0645 in 33-degree Farenheit weather. Despite the grumbling and groaning, we ventured outside and formed up our parade block for a few passes on the Andrews AFB flight line, like it was any other day. Why? Because its what we do.
Rain or shine, the USAF Band will be there.
So there we were.
The band provides its members with a generous amount of accouterments for foul
weather. Gloves, scarves, fur lined hats, thermal underwear, rain cap covers, all weather coats treated for rain protection...
Doesn't matter. We got wet. Very wet. Squishy shoe wet.
As we proceeded down the flight path, I noticed that the grounds were designed for water drainage, with parts of the cement at a slant to help move water to the drains. That didn't make much difference. The outside file of our parade block spent one entire pass walking through an inch deep river. I could see the waves being kicked up by my colleague. It made my feet even colder and wetter just witnessing it.
Another pitfall of these ceremonies in cold weather: Intonation. When you take 99 instruments from a temperate room, and move them outside, you will hear a noticeable difference in the pitch. After we moved outside from the hangar, and played our first note, it was a shocker. Cold weather will take the intonation of an instrument and drop it down. Additionally, it's quite a shock to the muscles used to make a sound on the instruments. Another foul weather item I have in my arsenal is a plastic rimmed mouthpiece, to protect my lips against a freezing piece of metal. (If anyone has seen the scene from "A Christmas Story" on the playground involving a tongue and a frozen pole, you will know what I am referring to. "Thtuck! THTUCK!") While the plastic offered some relief, it didn't matter that much.
Simply put, I sounded extremely flat, and my lips were protesting.
So why do we put ourselves through this kind of torture? Because the Inaugural is a mere 13 days away, and today could be a mirror image of that historic day, and its still "game on". Going through it once is painful. Going through it a second time, or possibly more makes you more prepared for the worst, and that is what this week is for. Preparation. We still hold the core values of the Air Force to the work we are doing this week. Integrity First - memorizing your music. Service Before Self - setting that alarm at 0330 to get the 0500 bus to practice in the freezing rain. Excellence in All we Do - Everyone in that parade block takes pride in the work that they do for the Air Force Band, and our new President. Every day is "game day" and we do our best to sound our best, no matter what Mother Nature sends our way. But if she is listening...nothing wrong with a sunny day in at least the 50's.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009
US Air Force Band prepares for Inaugural Parade--Day 2
posted by MSgt Brian McCurdy
Well, today was similar to yesterday, except there were several media outlets present to document the occasion. Once again, the weather did not sympathize with our situation, and the band marched through the morning darkness against a cold, steady rain.
Because of the unique size of the ensemble (99 members), we rehearsed inside of a hangar at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. We went over some commands from our drum Major, CMSgt. Ed Teleky (below right). This will be Chief Teleky's sixth Inaugural parade.
After the Chief's briefing, our commander Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, gave us some musical pointers.
"Play the phrases expressively. Whatever we do in here we'll lose 50% of in the parade," the Colonel said.
He was referring to the fact that it is very difficult to march outside in the cold, maintain a perfect interval with the person in front of you, avoid the distraction of worldwide attention, and still play! With so much starting and stopping during a parade of this magnitude, the music needs to be second nature.
After the indoor portion of the rehearsal was complete, it was time to move out onto the flight line. In my experience, there is always a steady wind on the flight line, no matter what time of year or what the weather conditions dictate. I am no meteorologist, but I'm convinced that Air Force bases are magnets for wind gusts!
This was a great opportunity for members of the local media to get some video of the band. Throughout the morning, various local news programs were popping in and out of our rehearsal with live feeds, and they were also taping material for future use in late-day and evening news broadcasts. Colonel Layendecker appeared live in studio on our [DC] local News Channel 8.
We rehearsed the parade sequence outside several times, with each repetition getting a little better. Once we perfected our music and marching, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, the deputy commander of the USAF Band, gave some much needed words of encouragement. "I am amazed at your incredible professionalism, especially in these conditions!" I think many of us were amazed, too.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009
Interview with Col Layendecker of US Air Force Band
Below is a news interview conducted with Colonel Dennis Layendecker, US Air Force Band, Commander and Music Director. In the interview, Col Layendecker discusses the importance and challenges of preparing to perform at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. For more information about the US Air Force Band's participation in the Inauguration, click here.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009
US Air Force Band prepares for Inaugural Parade--Day 1
posted by TSgt Jay Heltzer
My name is TSgt. Jay Heltzer, and I am the bass trombonist with the United States Air Force Concert Band, from Bolling AFB in Washington D.C. Along with MSgt. Brian McCurdy, I will provide a bandsman's perspective on preparing for, and participating in, the 2009 Inaugural Parade. We hope to give you as many details as we can--some trivial, some interesting, some historic-- on the USAF Band's role in the events of Jan. 20, 2009.
Day 1 (Jan. 8) of the 2009 Inauguration Preparation -- When we reported to work, there was a definite buzz in the air. Everyone felt the excitement, curiosity and confusion in the air. When you see more than two Air Force buses parked in front of the band hangar for the daily mission, you know there is something big going on. Add to that the typical morning traffic in Washington, D.C., and you get a very edgy band member.
Once we arrived at work, we found our bus assignments and received our winter gear (like scarves and gloves). As we found out soon enough, we needed as much gear as possible on this cold, wet and rainy day!
After arriving at Andrews AFB, Md., (a short 9 mile drive from Bolling) we fell into the Hangar where we got into the traditional 99-piece formation, beginning with the familiar shout of our drum major: "Nine trombones!" (Trombones are always in the front row). Time to start building a band.
Once we were in place, Day 1 began with training. Five members of the Ceremonial Brass, who will perform with the band on Inauguration day, stepped out of the formation and helped out as our Marching Training Staff. These five Airmen have an extensive background in marching, from their own personal experience in school to marching with top-level Drum and Bugle Corps from Drum Corps International. They also teach local high school bands and other Drum Corps.
Master Sgt. Kent Baker, who fits in all the above categories, was in charge of the training and the agenda for the morning. He talked to the band about the fundamentals of marching, uniformity, appearance and focusing on all the details to make us look as good as possible for the big day, and hopefully all the days following.
Personally, I marched in high school and college, and when I joined the Air Force Band 4 1/2 years ago, I was a member of the Ceremonial Brass. Marching has always been a part of my life, and I thought I was pretty good at it. However, it's very easy to take things for granted, because I had staff members coming up to me numerous times commenting on my toes during "marking time" (marching in place), and my horn angle, and how I line up with the people on both sides of me.
This is not just "another parade." This is a parade the whole world will be watching, and we do not want details to be ignored or passed over. After a few hours of constant reminders, what do you know? I can now effectively keep my toes together when I mark time. The band can also move forward, stop, and make left and right turns as a unit. It may seem pretty elementary, but you try moving 99 people in sync, and see how easy it is. Mission Accomplished.
|
|
|
|
|
