October 2, 2003
UNITED STATES AIR FORCES BAND TO PERFORM IN ROMANIA
The United States Air Forces in Europe Concert Band will be on tour in Romania, between October 6 to 11, for a series of concerts in cities of Brasov, Bistrita, Sibiu, Craiova and Bucharest.
During their visit, the Americans plan to meet with their Romanian colleagues in the "Red Scorpions"-Craiova and "The Carpathians Eagles" - Bistrita battalions, which have participated in Afghanistan missions, together with American troops.
The United States Air Forces in Europe Concert Band has been renowned throughout Europe and southwest Asia since 1944 for its outstanding performances. Based at Sembach Air Base, Germany, these 37 musicians travel annually to as many as 20 countries, bringing their musical talent to audiences of all ages and nationalities. Under the direction of Captain Scott A. Guidry, the Concert Band performs in Europe's finest concert halls, outdoor theaters and international music festivals. Their audiences include heads of state, royal families, and military and civilian dignitaries.
The Concert Band's musical programming reflects the diverse stylistic heritage of American and European music. The band's expansive repertoire has a dynamic versatility that appeals and delights audiences. The band always features the best of American music from the Broadway stage, the Hollywood screen, New Orleans Dixieland, and many styles of jazz. Light opera, overtures, marches, and outstanding vocal and instrumental soloists also make for a thoroughly entertaining repertoire.
In addition to performing live concerts for more than 1.2 million people each year, the USAFE Band's live performances and recordings can be heard on radio and television broadcasts bringing the music of America to millions across the continent. As "America's Musical Ambassadors," the members of the United States Air Forces in Europe Band use the international language of music to foster cultural exchanges and promote diplomatic relations wherever and whenever they perform.
Public and press access to the concerts, which are being organized by the U.S. Embassy and the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, will be free of charge.
The concerts are programmed as follows:
The concert program includes:
"Carnival Overture" by Antonin Dvorak; "Sabre and Spurs" by John Philip Sousa; "Sonatina" by K. Seroc and Harkins, with Mike Harkins, trombone; "Vilia," by Franz Lehar; "Escape from Plato's Cave" by Stephen Melillo; "Sound the bells!" by John Williams; "Ms. Trombone" by Henri Fillmore. Verlie Vigil will play "Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald", and Michele Feliccia will play "Tribute to Broadway". The program will also include "In the mood" by Glenn Miller.
FOR PRESS: The photo of the United States Air Forces in Europe Concert Band can be found on the U.S. Embassy web page (the photo at 1586x1569 pixels resolution has 1.21 MB)
The journalists who want to assist and record the USAFE concerts are asked to present with their press IDs in the locations mentioned above, with 30 minutes before the shows. Contact persons: Ruxandra Todiras - US Embassy, tel: 0721 - 288 -837; Cpt. Liviu Voicu, tel: 0722-689-128; Mihai Ursache - Ministry of Defense, tel: 410-40-40 ext. 2509.