MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune
October 7, 2017
The U.S. Air Force Offutt Brass will perform at Mayville State October 21
Offutt Brass, the brass ensemble of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, will perform at Mayville State University Saturday, Oct. 21. The free performance begins at 7 p.m. in the MSU Classroom Building Auditorium. The public is cordially invited to attend what we know will be a wonderful concert.
Offutt Brass is stationed is stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Comprised of two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone, a tuba, and percussion, Offutt Brass showcases the Air Force’s excellence and precision in every performance with a diverse repertoire featuring classical selections, patriotic favorites, jazz, and popular music, new compositions and distinctive arrangements.
In addition to community concerts, Offutt Brass also performs patriotic music and fanfares for military ceremonies and important civic events throughout Nebraska and other areas of the Midwest. As professional Airman-Musicians, Offutt Brass is committed to inspiring the American public, communicating Air Force core values, and honoring our nation’s veterans through the power of music. They are proud to represent our nation’s Airmen who fly, fight, and win in air and space.
The noncommissioned officer in charge of Offutt Brass is Technical Sergeant Carl Eitzen, who plays the trumpet, along with Staff Sergeant Daniel Thrower. Master Sergeant Benjamin Kadow plays the trombone, and Master Sergeant Alex Serwatowski plays the tuba. Percussionist is Staff Sergeant Ed Zaryky, and Senior Airman Nathan Owen plays the French horn.
The Offutt Brass group is a subset of the larger 15-member United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, which presents exciting and uplifting music to inspire patriotism and tell the Air Force story. They perform in a variety of situations and venues, from formal concerts in grand auditoriums to casual shows in the park. Their mission also includes deployments where they collaborate with U.S. Embassies to share American culture, build partnerships, develop relationships, and use music to motivate and unify coalition service members who are defending the region.
As professional Airmen, the Heartland of America Band honors our American military veterans for their selfless sacrifice at every performance, and shares the message of excellence, courage, and commitment displayed every day by the brave men and women of the United States Air Force serving throughout the world.
The U.S.A.F. Heartland of America Band has a rich history of inspiring hearts and minds, building and sustaining American patriotism, and enhancing esprit de corps in the United States Air Force. It began as the 402nd Army Air Force Band on Feb. 1, 1943 at Ardmore Army Base, Oklahoma. After assignments at Andrews Field in Maryland and Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan, it was eventually assigned to Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
The United States Air Force has one premier band, eleven active duty bands, and five Air National Guard bands that feature our nation’s finest professional musicians. It is a privilege for us to host the Offutt Brass group at Mayville State University. I hope you will join in welcoming them to the stage of the Mayville State Classroom Building Auditorium. We know it will be an outstanding performance that you are sure to enjoy. Please mark your calendar for Saturday evening, Oct. 21.