Heartland of America Band set to spread cheer for 31st straight year

  • Published
  • By Drew Nystrom
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Many things have changed in the last three decades. House phones have given way to cell phones; Bruno Mars has replaced Lionel Richie; and the Huskers have moved from the Big 8 to the Big 10.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the USAF Heartland of America Band’s holiday concert series, now a seasonable staple for many in the greater Omaha metro area.

The Offutt-based 16-piece band is scheduled to conduct 4 free holiday-themed performances in the local community starting Dec. 10 and ending Dec. 17, 2017.

“These concerts continue through the longstanding positive partnerships that Offutt has with our local communities, and it’s an honor for us to again present this holiday musical tradition,” Master Sgt. Benjamin Kadow, the show’s producer, said.

The series will kick-off with a performance Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Glenwood High School Performing Arts Center in Glenwood, Iowa and is presented in partnership with the Glenwood-Opinion Tribune and the Glenwood Community School District.

After a short break, the band will perform Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at Bellevue East High School in Bellevue, Nebraska, in the school’s auditorium and is presented in partnership with Suburban Newspapers.

According to Kadow, the free 90-minute long concerts will be composed of 18 songs presented without intermission.

“This year’s concert is filled with familiar melodies and wonderful stories which will surely evoke many holiday memories,” Kadow said. “Highlights include perennial favorites such as Sleigh Ride and White Christmas, as well as modern songs made famous by Chris Tomlin, Katherine McPhee, and others.

The show includes a sing-along, and will also feature a multi-media presentation that will pay tribute to our deployed service members.”

The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band is a 16-member operating location of the USAF Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Comprised of two component groups, Raptor and Offutt Brass, all members of the band occasionally come together for large scale productions such as these holiday concerts.

Information on how to get tickets for these free concerts will be posted soon on the band's website (www.heartlandofamericaband.af.mil) and Facebook page (search for USAF Heartland of America Band) as well as in ads in the Omaha World-Herald, Bellevue Leader and Glenwood Opinion-Tribune newspapers.

Schedule
» Dec. 10, 2 p.m. — Glenwood Community High School
» Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. — Bellevue East High School
» Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. — Bellevue East High School
» Dec. 17, 2 p.m. — Bellevue East High School