World Renowned Air National Guard Band of the Northeast to Perform for Spring-Ford Community June 25

The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will present an exciting concert of wind band favorites on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at Spring-Ford Senior High School.   The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast is the premiere military band from within the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.  The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast has played throughout the United States and abroad, and features a variety of classical, jazz, popular music, marches, patriotic favorites, and show tunes arranged for the concert band. 

The concert is being sponsored by the Spring-Ford Educational Foundation and will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Senior High School, which is located at 350 South Lewis Road in Royersford.

The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast was originally formed in 1942 in Rapid City, South Dakota as the 53rd Army Air Forces Band. Federal recognition was extended to the band in 1949. The band has experienced numerous name changes and reassignments over the years, more recently as the 553rd Air Force Band, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. In 2000, the band became known as the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic, reflecting its expanded geographic area of responsibility. Recently, the geographic responsibility of the unit was again increased and the unit’s name was changed to the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast. The Band of the Northeast is based at Fort Indiantown Gap as part of the Regional Support Group to the 193rd Special Operations Wing stationed in Middletown, PA.

Ten members of the band deployed to several undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East in 2010.  This deployment was the first of its type for the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast.  The Band members performed well over 20 concerts in 40 days for allied and coalition forces, American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, as well as the Middle Eastern National during both military and civilian performances. The deployment raised the spirits of thousands of audience members from across the globe and inspired patriotism and the American Spirit in our friends from dozens of countries. 

A traditional Air National Guard squadron, the band consists of 40 members, all traditional National Guard members with civilian careers who meet one weekend a month to rehearse and perform. Its ranks are filled with professional musicians, educators, students, administrators, salesmen, builders and other professionals. The band has received many awards, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit award and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Unit Citation. Its annual concert tours have taken it to Germany, Holland, France, the Azores, Antigua-West Indies, Norway, England, Denmark, and throughout the United States.

The concert is free and open to the public. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to downbeat.