Lunch Bachs Concert Series spices up Offutt lunch hour

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter R.O. Danielson
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  A tentative strum on his guitar strings confirms the instrument is still in tune. The chord hangs in the air for a moment before he mutes it with his palm. 

He begins to play. A soft melody of single notes wafts across the crowd of 70 listeners. The line is followed by a similar strain, lower in pitch. The tune starts to chase itself across octaves and keys, twisting on itself faster and more insistently as it overwhelms all other noises in the Offutt Community Center Banquet Room here. 

A few tables away from the guitarist, a young child roars like a dinosaur and chomps down furiously on an apple slice. 

At the annual Lunch Bachs Concert Series, the Heartland of America Band provides an enjoyable lunch break to the people of Offutt with live music and a casual, relaxing atmosphere. 

"The concerts serve a dual purpose for us," said 1st Lt. Mike Hoerber, the deputy commander and assistant conductor of the HoAB. "It allows the base community to hear the music we make, and it allows the band members a chance to select their own music."
The music selected for the May 28 concert spanned a variety of styles. 

Staff Sergeant Kimberly Miller, an 11-year veteran of the band, chose to play a bouncy classical clarinet piece, accompanied on piano by Airman 1st Class Michael Srstka, who has been with the band for two years. The song trilled through several octaves, demonstrating the various roles a clarinet can play in the hands of a skilled player. 

The second musician of the event was classical guitarist Senior Airman Daniel Santos, who has been with the band for six months. Airman Santos performed two songs, with his first choice being Fugue in A minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. He then played the second song, Capriccio Arabe by Francisco Tarrega, slightly furrowing his brow as his fingers picked out rapid Spanish arpeggios. 

After the solo guitarist, Airman Srstka returned to play his own jazz rendition of a "Pretty Mary K" by Elliot Smith. 

While introducing the song, he said Mr. Smith could be one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 90's and was definitely his favorite. Airman Srstka chose not to directly play the song, but took his own creative spin to bring it to life. 

The final performers were the Heartland of America Band's country and rock showcase group, Night Wing. 

Night Wing flaunted their playful style in each song. Staff Sergeant Clint Whitney, the group's lead vocalist and guitar player, shared grins with group members during key moments. 

The next Lunch Bachs Concert is scheduled for June 25. It will feature a duet between Lieutenant Hoerber and Captain Michael Willen, the commander and conductor of the band. 

"It's exciting, because we officers don't usually get a chance to play," said Lieutenant Hoerber. 

Concert attendees are encouraged to arrive at noon and to bring a boxed lunch, said Lieutenant Hoerber. The performance is slated to last 45 minutes. Additional concerts will take place on the last Thursday of the month during July and August. 

For more information about the Heartland of America Band, visit www.heartlandofamericaband.af.mil.