The United States Air Force Band

MAY MISSIONS | With May being National Military Appreciation Month, our members supported numerous efforts across the capital region to honor those who have served. Many of these missions took place alongside our sister services, and we were proud to unite in paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for our nation.

The Air Force Strings and Singing Sergeants performed during the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Observance: An Evening of Stories of Service at Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery. This candlelight service honored the sacrifice of our nation’s fallen through music.

Also pictured are members of the ceremonial band participating in an Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony in honor of President John F. Kennedy’s birthday at Arlington National Cemetery.

(Official U.S. Army photos by Sgt. 1st Class Rachel Minto and Elizabeth Fraser)

FUN IN THE SUN 🌞 | Last weekend the United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants opened our Summer Concert Series at National Harbor! The concert was hosted by Major General Daniel A. DeVoe, the Commander of the Air Force District of Washington and the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing at Joint Base Andrews, MD. The weather could not have been more ideal for a night of live music as we performed classics from the stage and silver screen.

General DeVoe will be retiring this year after an incredible 31 years of service and we thank him for his leadership and support of the band. Fun fact - General DeVoe also played trombone growing up! To express our gratitude, we asked him to come on stage and close out the show by conducting John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever." 🎶

Catch us at National Harbor all summer long on Saturdays at 7:00 P.M. for FREE live music! Click the link below for more info:
https://www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/Events/Summer-Concert-Series/

(Official U.S. Air Force photos by Technical Sgt. Alison Miserendino)

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES | Warmer weather means live outdoor performances with your United States Air Force Band! Join us from May-August as we present our Summer Concert Series to the Washington, D.C. metro area. You can expect to enjoy music in a variety of styles to include classical, broadway, film score, pop, rock, jazz, and more! Catch us at the times and locations below:

📍U.S. Capitol Steps on Tuesdays @ 7:00 P.M.
📍The Plaza Stage at National Harbor on Saturdays @ 7:00 P.M.

Bring your friends and family, kick up a lawn chair, and enjoy an evening of entertainment at some of the most exciting performances spaces in town. No tickets necessary!

For more information about our different ensembles, click here: http://bit.ly/4dFvHJT

WE HAVE A WINNER 🎼 | The Airmen of Note is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2026 Sammy Nestico Award - Jonathan Bumpus! This year’s competition featured 49 outstanding submissions from composers across the country and Jonathan's came out on top! The Airmen of Note look forward to performing one of Mr. Bumpus’s compositions live in concert during the 2026-2027 season.

Jonathan Bumpus is a trombonist, composer/arranger, and educator based in Northern Colorado. Originally from Pullman, WA, Jonathan studied at Whitworth University and the Eastman School of Music and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in jazz composition and jazz pedagogy at the University of Northern Colorado, UNC.

A versatile and expressive trombonist, Jonathan is highly in demand in the Denver area and was named Outstanding Graduate Jazz Soloist by DownBeat Magazine in 2025. Jonathan has performed and/or recorded with groups such as the Zaremba Jazz Fellowship, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, UNC Jazz Festival All Stars, Daruma, Andrew Janak Quartet, Gabriel Santiago Orchestra, David Caffey Jazz Orchestra, Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra, Dave Rivello Ensemble, Bob Curnow Big Band, Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and Coeur d'Alene Symphony. Jonathan has also performed at and participated in the Jazz Education Network conference, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy, and the Global Music Education League Symposium in Trieste, Italy.

Jonathan's compositions and arrangements for big band, studio orchestra, and marching band have been performed by high school, college, and professional groups across the country. Recent commissions include the UNC Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band featuring Wayne Bergeron and Sarah Hanahan, American Prize finalist Winds5 (Seattle-based Woodwind Quintet), the Wyoming All-State Jazz Band, and Brighton High School (MI). In 2024, Jonathan's composition "Real In" was named Donor's Choice in the Ithaca College Jazz Composition Contest. Jonathan also works as a copying and arranging assistant to John Clayton.

An active jazz scholar, Jonathan's research interests include idiomatic trombone improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz teacher training, and jazz theory. Jonathan's work on idiomatic jazz trombone improvisation has been published in Jazz Education in Research and Practice. Jonathan has presented at the College Music Society conference and the Jazz Education Network conference. Jonathan is currently in progress on dissertation work on the topic of jazz methods courses.

A committed and experienced educator, Jonathan directed a public high school jazz ensemble for four years, has worked on the faculty of the UNC Jazz Camp for three years, and has taught jazz theory, jazz trombone, jazz composition, and jazz pedagogy at UNC.

To learn more about Jonathan, visit http://www.jonathanbumpus.com/

From all of us in the United States Air Force Band, congratulations! 🎉

(Picture and biography courtesy of Jonathan Bumpus)

TWO FOR ONE | Earlier this month we announced an opening for trumpet with Ceremonial Brass, and we’re excited to share that an additional position has now become available! The audition will still be held on September 15, 2026 with application materials being due by August 9, 2026.

The Ceremonial Brass is made up of 41 active-duty musicians who perform at funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, official arrival ceremonies for foreign dignitaries at the White House and Pentagon, patriotic events, and military ceremonies including changes of command, retirements, and award presentations.

This full-time career opportunity includes:
- Annual starting salary of $80,000-$87,000
- 30 days of paid vacation annually
- Full medical and dental coverage
- Post 9-11 GI Bill (up to $80,000 for college)
- Comprehensive military benefits
- Minimum four-year enlistment
- Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 41 (must not have yet reached 42nd birthday)

This position is highly sought after, often leading to service terms of 20 years or more. If you are a trumpet player, please consider using your talents to serve our country!

For more information, click below:
https://www.music.af.mil/Auditions/

BASS VACANCY 🎻 | Calling all bass players! The United States Air Force Concert Band will host an audition on August 17, 2026 with application materials due by July 12, 2026.

The United States Air Force Concert Band performs for communities across the Washington, D.C. area and travels the country on national tours twice a year. Members of the Air Force Concert Band also regularly engage in educational outreach programs, participate in high-level government ceremonies, and collaborate with other members of the U.S. Air Force Band to showcase wide varieties of musical genres.

This full-time career opportunity include:
-Annual starting salary of $80,000-$87,000
-30 days of paid vacation annually
-Full medical and dental coverage
-Post 9-11 GI Bill (up to $80,000 for college)
-Comprehensive military benefits
-Minimum four-year enlistment
-Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 41 (must not yet have reached 42nd birthday)

This position is highly sought after, often leading to service terms of 20 years or more. If you are a bassist, please consider applying and auditioning!

Click the link below for more audition info!
https://www.music.af.mil/Auditions/