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Band of brothers: Tyndall musicians bring 'brass' to base ceremonies

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 325th Fighter Wing
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Confucius once said, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” 

The 325th Air Control Squadron realized this also applies to squadron ceremonies, and thus the ACS Brass Band was formed. 

The band, which began in 2003 with four trombonists, now also includes two trumpeters and a drummer. They play at 325th ACS air battle manager student graduations and recently performed at the 325th Operations Group change of command ceremony. They have also been asked to play at the wing stand-up in December. 

“We exist to play 'The Star Spangled Banner,'” said Maj. John Evans. “We don’t play marches or other arrangements without playing that song.” 

Even though the national anthem is the band’s bread and butter, they all know a bit about playing other arrangements. Each member of the band has performed with various types of groups. 

The band members, all from the 325th ACS, consist of Major Evans, Maj. Raymond Law, Capt. Chris Comer, Capt. Ed Keller, 2nd Lt. Steven Vega, 2nd Lt. Joe Farone, and Airman 1st Class Brandon Schessl. 

Major Law has been playing the trombone since 1968. He played the trumpet as a child, but in his freshman year in high school in Phoenix, he picked up the instrument he’d be playing for the next 37 years. 

“I played in high school and at North Arizona University at Flagstaff,” Major Law said. “My trombone collected dust for a few years, but when I got stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., I started playing in a swing band and in my church’s praise and worship band. When I got here, I was looking for a group that I could play music with.” 

For Airman Schessl, music was a family affair. 

“My dad was a music teacher, so I’ve been playing since third grade,” said Airman Schessl, who joined the band one year ago. “I’ve been in all-county and all-state bands, and I played for the Sandborn Fire Company Band in New York. I thought I was done playing until I came here.” 

Major Evans hasn't quit playing since he started 40 years ago. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University as a music educator and was a band director for five years. The major, who started the Brass Band, creates the band’s arrangements, keeping with a patriotic, ceremonial theme. 

“We’re interested in keeping alive the ceremonies of the Air Force,” he said. “Many military functions do not have traditional music. We’re trying to inject that back into the ceremonies -- marches and patriotic music. 

“We feel that we’re doing something important, and thankfully our commander, Lt. Col. Dennis McDevitt Jr., has really supported us,” the major continued. “Hopefully, when the students get to see and be a part of these traditions, they’ll bring them back when they go out into the Air Force.” 

The band, however, is not just for air battle manager students, nor does Major Evans only want it made up of 325th ACS Airmen. 

“We invite anyone who is a fairly confident player of a brass instrument to come out and play with us,” he said. “We’ll even take the French horn.”