Summary

  • The USAF Band was formed during WWII with over 1,500 musicians
  • Almost 500 bands served in the US Army during WWII
  • The USAF Band serves as America’s International Musical Ambassadors with 12 international tours

Like so many military branches around the world, the US Air Force has its own dedicated musical bands. Those who serve in the Air Force Band are considered active duty and enlisted. The band can be seen performing at special occasions and ceremonies and perhaps even at some of the most unmissable aviation festivals. Internationally, perhaps the world’s most famous military band is the State Ceremonial Musicians of the Bands of the Household Division, which performs daily with the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

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Formed during WWII

Almost 500 bands served in the US Army in WWII

Activation date:

October 1, 1941

WWII musicians:

Over 1,500 (all bands for Army Air Force)

War years:

1941 to 1945

The USAF Band dates from the United States just on the eve of it entering World War II. It began as one of the 59 “Air Force Bands” activated on October 1, 1941. During the war, the Air Force was a division of the Army (the US Army Air Force), and it grew massively. Between 1941 and 1945, the Air Force states that over 1,500 musicians were auditioned and recruited from 32 major symphony orchestras and 38 famous dance bands.

US Air Force band old and new

Photo: US Air Force

In all, almost 500 hundred bands served in the US Army during the war. Between 1951 and 1961, the Air Force had an all-male and all-female band (the all-female band was abolished in 1961). The women’s band was part of the Women in the Air Force (WAF) program of the time.

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One of many US military bands

Dozens of bands serve in the US military

Newest official service branch song:

Space Force’s Semper Supra (adopted 2022)

Oldest band:

West Point Band (founded 1817)

Army bands:

Currently, 88 US Army bands

Military services have a long tradition of incorporating military bands—from the drummer boys to keep marching timed to orchestral bands for special occasions and flag-raising ceremonies. Today, the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard all maintain their own musical bands.

US Navy brass band preforms during Memorial Day celebration

Photo: lev radin l Shutterstock

While military bands are steeped in heritage and tradition, they are also constantly evolving. For example, the new US Space Force only unveiled its official song in 2022. The oldest US military band is the Army’s West Point Band, which was founded on the grounds of the US Military Academy in 1817. Many militaries around the world maintain their own military bands – such as the British Royal Marines Band Service, which can often be seen on special occasions performing with pomp and circumstance.

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A leading military band

The band’s 184 members are some of the most respected

Members:

184 members

Number of ensembles:

6

Performing ensembles:

Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, Airmen of Note, Air Force Strings, Ceremonial Brass, Max Impact

The US Air Force states, “The United States Air Force Band is one of the most respected, versatile, and accomplished musical organizations in the world.” Its professionalism and skill made it one of the world’s finest concert bands. Today, it is made up of 184 members.

US Air Force band outside of the White House

Photo: US Air Force

The United States Air Force Band includes the Concert Band, Singing Sergeants, the Airmen of Note, the Air Force Strings, Ceremonial Brass, Max Impact, Chamber Players, and more. The band plays various music, including pop, rock, country, and much more. The music played not only reflects the tradition of the service, but also how traditions evolve to remain current.

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Musical Ambassadors

The USAF Band has performed live for 60 million people

Countries toured:

48 countries

Capitals toured:

40 capitals

International tours:

12 international tours to date

The US Air Force Band is credited for conceiving and pioneering the concept that a musical organization can be a country’s “most effective goodwill ambassador. The band has earned itself the moniker, “America’s International Musical Ambassadors,” as it has time and again proudly represented the United States and the US Air Force in countries around the world.

US Air Force Band Max Impact

Photo: US Air Force

The band has conducted 12 international concert tours in 48 countries and 40 capitals on five continents. It has performed live for over 60 million people around the world, in addition to many millions more hearing it on the radio, TV, or over the internet. In a way, it functions as a cultural and military ambassador for the US in much the same way as the famous Red Arrow aerobatic display team of the Royal Air Force.

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Max Impact

The Max Impact rock band has two vocalists

Formed:

2005

Genre:

Current rock, classic rock, other

Vocalists:

two

Max Impact is the US Air Force’s premier rock back and is made up of two vocalists supported by a four-piece rhythm section. The ensemble performs a range of music, including country hits, current rock, classic rock, and patriotic songs. Max Impact singles can be played and downloaded on the Air Force’s website. Singles include Find You, American Airman, Send Me, Stand, Locked and Loaded, and This Flag.

Max Impact performing at the museum

Photo: National Air and Space Museum

Max Impact performs in a wide range of settings – to troops on deployment and at museums. The band performed at the National Air and Space Museum, and the museum invited people to “Join us at the museum for a lively holiday concert performed by Max Impact, the United States Air Force Band’s celebrated rock band. This Max Impact performance promises to thrill with its trademark high-intensity, hard-rocking vivacity, and musical versatility.

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