Air Force Band to land in Oakhurst
BY IRENE THIRLWALL - EDITORIAL@SIERRASTAR.COM

Randy Hyatt, band director at Yosemite High School and instructor of the Oakhurst Community Band has arranged for the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West to hold a free performance for the mountain community.

On Friday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at Oak Creek Intermediate School the band will perform “Liberty for All” which includes more than 10 pieces.
A quartet from the band previously played at Yosemite High School for the high school band students. Hyatt said at that time he spoke with one of the band members, Sgt. Lindsey Bartlett, operations representative, who later called him and expressed interest in playing in the Mountain Area.

“Every time we can have groups like that come, I like my students to hear professional performers and this is also great for the community,” Hyatt said. “Right now we are in a time of war, unfortunately and any time we can have the community rally together like this that’s great.”
Hyatt said the concert is not being held at Yosemite High because it was already booked up.

“Bob Guizar, principal at Oak Creek Intermediate was so kind to offer the use of their site,” Hyatt said.

The band will play under the direction of the Deputy Commander of the USAF Academy Band, Lieutenant Michael James Willen.

The program will feature saxophone soloist, Airman First Class Nathan Drabek, performing “Concertino da Camera” by Jacques Ibert. In addition, Senior Airman Michelle Summers will be the featured vocalist and will perform works of George Gershwin, Victor Herbert and James Beckel. There will also be a variety of patriotic music and military marches.

The concert band, the largest performing ensemble within the USAF Band of the Golden West, is stationed at Travis Air Force Base and is comprised of 45 musicians. It has performed for thousands of listeners, both in person and over the airwaves. It has reached millions of listeners and inspired enthusiastic critical acclaim as one of America’s premiere musical organizations. Television and radio broadcasts of the band’s recordings have extended the visibility of the band to national and increasing international levels.

Touring the western states the band performs for music conventions and plays just about any variety of music.

The band’s repertoire includes standard concert band and wind ensemble literature, orchestral transcriptions, military marches, jazz and pop arrangements, Broadway excerpts and patriotic songs. Its varied programs offer something for everyone and are entertainment for the entire family.

Free tickets may be obtained at the following locations:

• Maestro Mountain Music and Art Supply
• Mystical Fire
• Oakhurst Feed and Supply
• Remember When
• Sierra Tel Business Center
• Sierra Star
• Vetter’s Framing
• Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company

For more information on free tickets please call Leroy Sprinz (559) 658-2127.