HoAB serves up another delicious Lunch Bachs

  • Published
  • By Rogelie R. Johnson
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Heartland of America Band presented base community members another 45 minutes of live music during the third installment of the Lunch Bachs Recital Series at the Community Center Banquet Room July 29. 

"Lunch Bachs is a way to thank members of the Offutt community for their support and service," said 1st Lt. Mike Hoerber, the deputy commander and assistant conductor of the Heartland of America Band. "It's also an opportunity for servicemembers and civilians to get away from work and listen to great music while they enjoy lunch." 

The series also allows band members a chance to pick music that they like to play or try out new music they've been working on, Lieutenant Hoerber added. 

Senior Airman Daniel Santos, a guitarist, and Staff Sgt. David Pojar, a percussionist, opened the show with a rhapsodic account of Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C major. 

Airman Santos gently cradled the neck of his classical guitar as his fingers skillfully plucked the nylon strings. 

At the same time, Sergeant Pojar as he quickly struck two mallets against the rosewood keys of a marimba, which looks like a xylophone.
What made this guitar and marimba duet different was the piece was originally composed for a piano, but Sergeant Pojar said he spent approximately four hours rearranging the piece to fit their instruments. 

Sergeant Pojar and Airman Santos chose the song because they liked the melodic development and the contrast between the slow and fast movements, according to the duo. 

Listeners appeared mesmerized and fixated at the sounds the duo created. Some band members were also in attendance to show their support for their fellow Airmen. 

Technical Sgt. Lara Murdzia, a vocalist for Night Wing, said she was excited to watch her band's guitarist and drummer perform since the band usually plays country and rock songs. 

"It's fun to hear what other group members pick out and what they like to do," said Staff Sgt. Kim Miller, a clarinetist. "Often times, members play at different times and don't get to see their coworkers perform." 

Chief Master Sgt. Sharon Johnson, the band's manager, said it was her first look at the Lunch Bachs, and she loved it. She said her favorite part was the musical variety of the three performers. 

"Lunch Bachs was an opportunity for the base to see our talented folks up close and personal," Chief Johnson said. "On our end, it allows our folks to stretch and perform music that they may not get an opportunity to play while gigging with our unit." 

The next act was Airman Santos' with a three-minute solo of "Natalia - Vals Venezolano No.3," a Venezuelan waltz by native Venezuelan composer Antonia Lauro. 

"This song is quite popular in the world of classical guitar because of its beautiful melody and great upbeat rhythm," Airman Santos said. "I chose it simply because of its beauty." 

The final act was Senior Master Sgt. Jimmy Weber, the superintendent for the band, who serenaded the crowd with his crooning voice and acoustic guitar. He sang renditions of "Somebody Like You" by Keith Urban, "Piano Man" by Billy Joel, "Black Bird" by The Beatles, "Working Man's Blues" by Merle Haggard and "Wanted (Dead or Alive)" by Jon Bon Jovi. He said he often chooses his songs on the fly rather than coming in with a set list. 

"Since there was a mix of ages, I tried to play something for everyone from pop to country to classics," Sergeant Weber said. 

In addition to vocals, Sergeant Weber used an "effects processor" with some of his songs. 

"This device allowed me to add reverb, delay and distortion to my guitar sound, giving me more of an electric guitar tone at times to add variety," Sergeant Weber explained. 

But Sergeant Weber's most moving song was his original piece called "I Moved a Mountain," a song he had written about his grandfather who died when he was only 12 years old. The song was written by Sergeant Weber, Tim Bezy and Dan Barnes. 

"The song is a true story about my Grandpa Joe," Sergeant Weber said. "I had great love and respect for him--to a young boy he seemed larger than life, like a mountain." 

Lieutenant Cmdr. Andrew Neboshynsky, a member of the U.S. Strategic Command, was with his wife, Mara, and two children, 4-year-old Anastasia and 2-year-old Matthew. The Neboshynsky family has attended all the Lunch Bachs series events this year. 

"Andrew and I like classical music, and I thought it would be great for the kids to get exposed to the music," Mrs. Neboshynsky said. "The children really enjoy the music." 

Anastasia Neboshynsky said her favorite part was listening to music and eating at the same time. 

Mrs. Neboshynsky said her family plans to attend the next Lunch Bachs. 

The fourth and final performance of the 2009 Lunch Bachs Recital Series is scheduled Aug. 27, from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. at the Community Center Banquet Room. 

To learn more about the Heartland of America Band, visit their Web site at http://www.heartlandofamericaband.af.mil/.


Lyrics to Sergeant Weber's song: "I Moved a Mountain"

I Moved a Mountain
(Weber/Bezy/Barnes)

He cast a shadow a half-mile long
He was old, but he was strong
Nobody dared to push him around
That was my Grandpa Joe
Fifty pounds soaking wet
That was as big as I thought I'd get
Like standing at the foot of Everest
He made me feel so small
A hard man for a boy to read
But I got the nerve, climbed up on his knee
I said, "I love you Grandpa"
And a tear rolled down his weathered cheek

CHORUS 1:
That day I moved a mountain
Didn't know I had it in me
Didn't think he was only human
Never dreamed that mountains could be
But I thank God I got to know him in that way
That day I moved a mountain

Twelve years old that Christmas Eve
Tearing into presents around the tree
The phone rang, but Dad couldn't look at me
He just said, "Grandpa's gone"
Us older kids just started to cry
The younger ones couldn't understand why
How do you explain that heroes die
It just seemed so wrong
Four days later lined up in a pew
With five of my cousins, the chosen few
We did what we were there to do
We carried him home

CHORUS 2:
And that day I moved a mountain
Didn't know I had it in me
Didn't think he was only human
Never dreamed that mountains could be
But I thank God I got to know him in that way
Before that day I moved a mountain