Band performs final concert

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Stahl
  • U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Since 1991, the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty has performed more than 300 concerts annually throughout the New England region. On March 10, the band will perform one final time at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Mass., ending a more than two-decade run in the premier concert hall. The band will deactivate this summer due to last year's Air Force restructuring.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to represent Hanscom and the Air Force all across New England for so many years," said Capt. Dave Alpar, Air Force Band of Liberty commander. "Our job has been to tell the Air Force's and Hanscom's story to the American people."

The band has been a mainstay in the New England region, striving to bring a musical message of pride, patriotism and professionalism to communities of all sizes. The unit has been featured in Boston and New York City as well as small towns scattered throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

The band was originally known as the 541st Air Force Band of the Southwest, stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., until the unit relocated to Pease Air Force Base, N.H., in 1978. In 1991, the band received its current name and was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base.

"Whether at Pease or at Hanscom, this assignment has a very special meaning to all who have served here," said Alpar. "We wanted to invite all of our alumni to share in one more performance of great music."

Several former members of the Band of Liberty will return to help present the final grand farewell concert. According to organizers, the band will double in size for the afternoon performance and will feature musicians traveling in from eleven states, some as far as California.

The concert will include an afternoon filled with American pride, a touch of nostalgia and sadness as the unit plays its final note, organizers say.

Tickets are free and available from the box office at Mechanics Hall. Anyone interested may call 508-752-0888 to reserve tickets at will call.

Additionally, the unit's rock band, Afterburner, will be performing a free concert at the Minuteman Commons on March 9 at 7 p.m.