USAFA band thanks local communities for their support

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Austin Prisbrey
  • Kirtland PA
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

The U.S Air Force Academy Top 40 band, Blue Steel, toured local pueblos and communities in central New Mexico Oct. 24-27. The band expressed appreciation for and building on community support for Kirtland, it’s Airmen and missions.

 

“We are reaching out to communities and letting them know that them being good neighbors and being supportive of us, allows Kirtland’s mission to be successful,” said Staff Sgt. Craig Larimer, vocalist, pianist and music director for Blue Steel. Several of the communities visited are not only proximate to the base, but it’s flying training areas. Kirtland has worked with communities and Pueblos on overflight for several decades.

 

Over the four days of the tour, the band performed at Santo Domingo Elementary-Middle School, Grants High School, Hayes Middle School and the Acoma Pueblo Community Center. Members of Blue Steel did more than just play music to say thank you. They interacted with students and other community members, answering questions about the Air Force, mentored young musicians and everything in-between.

 

“The objective a lot of times for Blue Steel is to go into the more rural communities,” said Staff Sgt. Colin Trusedell, bassist and NCOIC for Blue Steel. “A lot of times when we go into these small towns, they might not have ever seen someone from the Air Force before. This way, we can go into a school talk with kids and visit with them and their parents and just really connect with them on a [more direct] level.”

 

Students from Grants High School were given a unique opportunity to learn and connect with members of the band. The band conducted a workshop prior to their performance where music students from Grants HS were able to learn firsthand from AFA Band professionals.

 

“It was amazing having Blue Steel here,” said Josiah Urioste, junior at Grants High School. “For me, it was about the technology, sound equipment and the drummer. It was amazing to see a professional band come and teach us high school kids.”

 

Urioste got to jam on the drum set and get one-on-one time from the drummer of Blue Steel. Other students were allowed similar opportunities with the guitar, bass and keyboard.

 

“When we get into those clinics and workshops, you get more on a personal level,” said Larimer. “We can ask the kids what their goals and aspirations are.”

The student of Grants High School were not the only ones thankful for the workshop and performance conducted by the band.

 

“To have Blue Steel here today where the students get to rub shoulders and listen to is a great resource to have,” said Bill Grinder, Band Director at Grants High School. “Everything Blue Steel has done for us; I could not have done by myself. I know that the students’ eyes have been opened to what it takes to perform at their level talent.”