Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
Through world-class musical presentations and ceremonies, the United States Air Force Band uses music to bridge cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic differences, advance international relationships, and inspire positive and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.
Born out of a nation about to enter the Second World War, the United States Air Force Band started as one of 59 “Air Force Bands” activated on October 1, 1941. The Band’s unsurpassed professionalism and proximity to the Headquarters for the Army Air Forces on Bolling Field in Washington, D.C. quickly earned it the designation as “The Official Band of the Army Air Forces.” The Band’s name officially changed to the United States Air Force Band with the creation of the U.S. Air Force in 1947.
Today, the Band continues to represent the excellence of the U.S. Air Force and its 679,000 total force Airmen to a global audience. Consisting of six performing ensembles: the Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, Airmen of Note, Air Force Strings, Ceremonial Brass, and Max Impact, the Band honors those who have served, inspires American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and connects with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.
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. Schofield recently completed command with 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. His musical leadership was twice recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as an Emmy® award finalist during internationally-broadcast productions at the Grand Ole Opry.
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