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October 10, 2008

The U.S. Air Force Band and The Singing Sergeants to appear in free concert at ULM Oct. 20

The United States Air Force Band and its vocal component the Singing Sergeants will appear in concert at the University of Louisiana Monroe Monday, Oct. 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium.

Tickets are free but are necessary for entry. Interested individuals may obtain them at The News-Star, located at 411 N. 4th St., or by calling the ULM Visual and Performing Arts box office at (318) 342-1414.

ULM Director of Bands Derle Long proclaimed the U.S. Air Force Band to be the premiere organization of its kind in the world. “This is a tremendous honor for ULM to host such a prestigious ensemble.”

The band’s deputy commander, Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs, is a Baton Rouge native. He will conduct the performance.

According to the group’s Web site, The Singing Sergeants is “the official chorus of the United States Air Force [and] one of the world's most versatile and traveled choral organizations. It is also one of a select few singing groups internationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in vocal performance.

“Originally formed in 1945 from within the ranks of The United States Air Force Band, the chorus is now composed entirely of professional vocalists who have come from leading colleges, universities and music conservatories throughout the world; and who are all sergeants in the United States Air Force.

“The Singing Sergeants have appeared before every chief executive of the United States since President Truman, as well as with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia, Cleveland, Houston and National Symphony Orchestras, and both the Boston and Cincinnati Pops. The group has performed at White House, State Department, Supreme Court, Congressional, Department of Defense, and high-level civilian functions. The Singing Sergeants have performed at the New York World's Fair, in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.”

The full biography is available at:
www.usafband.af.mil/ensembles/BandEnsembleBio.asp?EnsembleID=63.

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