Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The United States Air Force Concert Band is the premier symphonic wind ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is the largest of six musical ensembles that comprise The United States Air Force Band. Featuring 53 active duty Airmen musicians, the Concert Band performs across the United States via biannual tours, engages the local community in our nation's capital through numerous concert series, and reaches millions globally through live radio, television and internet broadcasts. Additionally, Concert Band members perform in smaller chamber ensembles at official military and civilian functions, education outreach events and local concert venues.
The Concert Band performs a wide variety of music ranging from classical transcriptions and original works to solo features, light classics, popular favorites and patriotic selections. Remaining true to the Air Force's pioneering spirit, the ensemble is renowned as a champion of new works for band, with dozens of world premieres to its credit. It is in constant demand by many of the world's most highly-respected professional musical organizations, including the American Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education and The Midwest Clinic.
As part of The United States Air Force Band, the Concert Band honors those who have served, inspires American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and positively connects with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America. The excellence demonstrated by these Airmen musicians is a reflection of the excellence displayed by Airmen stationed around the globe. Each member is proud to represent all Airmen, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.
The United States Air Force Band
Conductor's Bio
Colonel Don Schofield is the commander and conductor of The United States Air Force Band. He is responsible for all activities of this 184-member squadron including equipping, training and deploying Airmen musicians to perform nearly 1,600 missions each year. Prior to this assignment, Schofield served as commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe Band stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he oversaw and directed more than 400 missions annually across Europe and Africa in a 104-nation area of responsibility.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Schofield received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Georgia, his master’s degree in music from Louisiana State University, and his doctoral degree from Boston University. Prior to receiving his commission at Officer Training School in 1997, Schofield was a public school band director for 6 years in Georgia. His previous commands include the United States Air Forces in Europe Band in Germany, the United States Air Force Academy Band at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, the Band of the Air Force Reserve at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and the Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Colonel Schofield also served as the Deputy Commander, 11th Operations Group and the Director of Operations for The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C.
Schofield has conducted military bands, professional orchestras, and school honor bands throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine. He has led international performances with artists such as Kid Rock, Little Big Town, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Chris Daughtry, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Lonestar, Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, Robin Meade, Amy Grant, Take 6, Diamond Rio, the Miracles, Lee Greenwood, Gary Morris, Brian McKnight, Gordon Goodwin, and Yuri Mynenko. As a result of his musical leadership during internationally broadcast productions at the Grand Ole Opry, Schofield was twice recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as a Top Four Finalist for a prestigious Emmy Award.
Schofield’s leadership has been recognized by the U.S. Air Force by being named the United States Air Forces in Europe’s Public Affairs Communication Excellence Field Grade Officer of the Year, the United States Air Force Academy’s Public Affairs Field Grade Officer of the Year, the Air Force Reserve Command’s Public Affairs Field Grade Officer of the Year, Air Mobility Command’s Band Officer of the Year, and Air Force Materiel Command’s Band Officer of the Year. Under his command, the United States Air Forces in Europe Band was named the winner of the 2017 Brigadier General Dalton Award for the best Public Affairs Unit in the United States Air Force. Schofield’s contributions resulted in the United States Air Force Academy Band and the Band of Mid-America being awarded the Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for military concert bands.
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