Air Force Band of Mid America Performs at Gravette High PAC

Photo by Susan Holland

The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid America concert band, appearing Monday night at the Gravette High School Performing Arts Center, opened its performance with a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. Members of the Bella Vista Honor Guard Post #341 posted the colors as the audience stood and sang along.

Photo by Susan Holland

A popular feature in the second half of the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid America concert Monday night was the performance by members of the newest Air Force band, Roots in Blue. Airman First Class Denver Murphy, vocalist, presented a medley of songs that had the audience clapping and tapping their toes. The band is based at Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Illinois.

Photo by Susan Holland

Staff Sergeant Kaz Kruszewski, trombonist, was the featured soloist when the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid America concert band performed Tech Sergeant Scott Wise's arrangement of New Orleans. Somber notes were played as scenes from Hurricane Katrina played in the background, giving way to lighter notes as scenes of rebuilding the city were screened. Monday's concert was the first stop in the band's spring "Journeys" tour.