• 562 AF Band Summer Tour • TSgt McPherson sings the National Anthem at the Long Beach Grand Prix • Major Patterson's return from the Middle East
Photos
Captain Nguyen, Commander of the 561st AF Band, conducts an evening concert in Camarillo, CA July 9 2011 of the combined 562nd and 531st Air National Guard Bands. This was the first concert in a series of concerts in the Soutern California Coast area.
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hutton
The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest combined with the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast for a concert in Westminster, CA July 10, 2011 under the direction of Captain Vu Nguyen.
Photo by Tsgt Chuck Hatton
July 13, 2011 Major Patterson returns from the Middle East! He was welcomed by members of the Tailgaters Dixieland Band to the tune of Bill Bailiy - "Won't you come home Commander, Won't you come home!"
MSgt Greg Robinson, Associate Conductor for the 562nd Air Force Band conducts the combined Air National Guard Band in Westminster CA 10 July 2011.
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
The Dixieland Tailgaters of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest take to the streets of Disneyland to entertain the crowds as part of their Southerm Califonia tour. July 11, 2011.
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
Airmen Karmen Suter gives a young child a huge thrill as they dance away to "Ain't She Sweet" during the parade down Mainstreet Disneland with Dixieland Tailgaters of the 562nd Air Force Band. July 11, 2011
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
The Latin group "Fuego Azul" performs at Downtown Disney on July 11, 2011. The newest preformance group of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest. They always get the folks on their feet dancing.
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
Major Mathews, Commander of the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast, conducts the 562nd and 531st Air Force Bands in Aneheim, CA July 15 2011 during their tour of Southern California.
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
Major Eric Patterson, Commander of the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, speaks to the audience in Anaheim, Ca July 15, 2001. Having just returned from the Middle East the day prior, Major Patterson shares a brief thank you for their support and then conducts one of the band's favorite marches - "Americans We"
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
In February 2011, the CD project "Flag of Stars" was completed. It captures the music of foreign composers writing about the grandeur and optimism of the United States.
MSgt Gregory Robinson, Associate Conductor for the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, conducts the final outdoor concert of the Southwrn Califonia Tour in Redondo Beach California. 16 July 2010
Photo by TSgt Chuck Hatton
7/23/2011 - July 2011 -- A lot has happened since the summer of 2010. The long anticipated CD "Flag of Stars" was completed, which recorded great music by foreign composers inspired by the spirit , optimism, and grandeur of the United States.
Seven new recruits have since joined our ranks and they will be terrific additions to our woodwind, percussion, and brass sections.
And not a moment too soon, as the 562nd AF Band geared up for performances all over the Southern California area, ranging from change of command ceremonies, military retirements, funeral honors, and civic functions.
Highlights included the summer tour along the Southern California coast, with support from the Texas Air National Guard Band for a string of patriotic celebrations starting in Santa Barbara for the 4th of July, followed by Camarillo, Woodland Hills, Anaheim, Disneyland, Westminister, and Redondo Beach.
During this tour, we also had the priviledge of playing for Major Patterson's return from the Middle East, a proud moment for all of us. Another highlight was having our own Tsgt Erin McPherson represent all of the Armed Forces, by singing the National Anthem for the huge opening day crowd at the Long Beach Grand Prix.
