MARSHALL - Looks like Marshall area residents are looking forward to hearing the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band's Brass in Blue perform Monday at the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at Marshall High School. Tickets for the free concert, which starts at 7 p.m., have all been given out. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. Non-ticket holders will be seated at 6:50 p.m. in any available seats.
If people are eager to hear the band, the feeling is mutual, said Alex Serwatowski, TSgt, tuba/tour director.
"I visited the center with Tricia Stelter and it's absolutely beautiful," he said. "We're looking forward to the concert."
Serwatowski said the USAF Heartland of America Band featuring Brass in Blue, a symphonic brass ensemble and vocalist, is based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The 12-piece band members, who are full-time active duty Air Force professionals, play "a wide variety of music," he said.
In addition to patriotic music such as "Stars and Stripes Forever," the concert will also feature music with a "Latin flavor" featuring one of the newest and youngest members, the trumpeter, who will perform on "La Virgen De La Macarena."
Other selections include Nat King Cole's "L.O.V.E" and the Eva Cassidy version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."
"Kind of a jazzier version," he said.
Serwatowski said the concert will "truly have something for everybody."
In addition to concerts, USAF Heartland of America Band provides educational clinics, and participates in military events such as promotions and funerals in a ceremonial capacity.
"Music in the military has a long history," he said. "From a call to arms to telling soldiers when to eat."
Serwatowski said the reason the band tours is "part entertainment and part education. This gives a face to the military through their excellence in music."
Brass in Blue will perform April 18 in Brookings, S.D., and April 19 in Montevideo. For more information, visit www.heartlandofamericaband.af.mil