June 13, 2006

U.S. Air Force band to perform at BYU-Idaho

The U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band will perform at the Kirkham Auditorium at Brigham Young University-Idaho on Saturday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The Heartland of America Band is based at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Performing for audiences since 1943, the 60-member unit presents a broad spectrum of music ranging from classical to contemporary, and from jazz to rock and country.

The program will feature everything from a Sousa march to music from "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "West Side Story."

Its various musical components perform more than 450 concerts annually, touring extensively throughout a 600,000 square mile eight-state area in the center of the country.

Performing on Air Force bases, in VA hospitals, for students of all ages and for civic celebrations, the band accomplishes a diverse mission supporting troop morale, recruiting and retention, community relations and the preservation of our national musical heritage, while reaching millions through live performances and recordings.

The band has the singular distinction of being the only Air Force musical unit deployed throughout the entire area of responsibility in support of troop morale during Operation Desert Shield. In 1995 it was named a "World War II Commemorative Community" for its comprehensive support of activities recognizing the 50th Anniversary of victory in World War II.

Free tickets are avaiable at the Standard Journal newspaper offices in Rexburg and St. Anthony and at the Manwaring Center Ticket Office.

Tickets may also be ordered by calling 496-2230 or online at www.byui.edu/tickets. There will be a limit of four tickets distributed per person (call the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office for larger group orders).  People are asked to be in their seats 15 minutes prior to the performance when seats will be released.