by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- The 50-member U.S. Air Force Band of Flight Concert Band is expected to draw a crowd to the Main Street Green July 5 when it performs in the Hudson Summer Music Festival.
"They put on a tremendous show with a variety of music from show music to patriotic music and old standards," said Frank Youngwerth, master of ceremony for the concert series. "Over the years two of the best concerts we've ever had on the Green were the two times the United States Air Force Band of Flight Concert Band performed here."
Youngwerth said the band performed in 2001 and 2002.
"We would have them every year if we could," he said. "Both times they were here, we had large crowds."
Youngwerth said the band, made up of active duty personnel, travels more than 100,000 miles a year while performing about 500 concerts.
"Many of the members are from esteemed music schools throughout the country," he said.
"Every member of the group has a tremendous amount of talent -- they are very, very good."
Youngwerth said another added attraction will be a parade of children around The Green that evening carrying flags, led by a member of Hudson's Daughters of the American Revolution.
"It's a special salute to the Fourth of July holiday that has been going on for a very, very long time," Youngwerth said.
The concert, sponsored by the Laurel Lake Foundation, will begin at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
According to the music festival, the Concert Band is the largest and most versatile unit of the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight and is under the baton of Major R. Michael Mench.
The U.S. Air Force Band of Flight is one of 12 bands in the Air Force. The band's purpose is to support the global Air Force mission in war and peace by fostering national heritage and by providing professional musical products and services for official military, recruiting and community relations events.
The rain location for the outdoor concerts will be the Hudson High School auditorium, 2500 Hudson-Aurora Road.
For more information or to contribute to the festival, visit www.hudsonbandstand.org or contact a committee member at any concert.
Youngwerth said most concerts are televised on Hudson Cable TV three days after the performance for one week. Concerts also are archived for the Hudson Library and Historical Society.
For more information about this and other performances by The United States Air Force Band of Flight, visit www.bandofflight.af.mil.
E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146