FLASH MOB: The U.S. Air Force Band at the Smithsonian —GORGEOUS - ’tis the Season

[Mira]

From a single Cello swelling to 120 Musicians.
Enjoy. And wishing you all a very Merry Holiday Season.

#t=36

[riversedge]

1. This is the America I love. Everyone--the kids even just stopped and smiled

--all with happy faces. whow.


thank you so much for video .

[misterhighwasted]

2. Thank You. Beautiful sight

[elleng]

3. VERY cool!

Thank you, Mira!

[djean111]

4. Thank you! n/t

[Sherman A1]

5. Super!

Thanks for posting!

[starroute]

6. We had to learn that one year in high school

Well, only the second verse because the first was too sectarian. But I still have a deep emotional response to it. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.

On edit: Though I could have done without the segue into Joy to the World, which is pretty standard-issue Christmas music.

[Historic NY]

7. Upward and onward!!

[madashelltoo]

8. Made me cry. Beautiful!

Why can't we live as beautifully harmonious as this orchestra played? Why?

[The Blue Flower]

9. From your evangelical Air Force

I love the music, too, but my first thought was of the disagreeable proselytizing of the Air Force Academy. My second was of my USMC ex-husband who was on recruiting duty during Vietnam and his stories of the phony things the other recruiters would promise to get kids to sign up, like, "Sure you can be on the Marine Corps swim team!" when there was no such thing. I was wondering if the guy playing the harp actually told them he wanted to play the harp for the Air Force, and what kind of response that would have gotten back then.

[sarge43]

17. How incredibly tacky of them to play Christmas carols this time of year

The SMSgt playing the harp is a professional musician and was so before he enlisted. Only qualified musicians are assigned to the Band and they go through a rigorous audition before they enlist. Back then? The same response he got 20 plus years ago. If you qualify, sure can.

[Plucketeer]

18. Listen

As an ex-tuba artist and Air Force veteran, I share your unease. I'm ashamed of what the USAF has become. The religious push at the Academy (and elsewhere) has galled this atheist for decades! That's the Air Force me talking.
The tuba me says music is great - even Xmas music. In an era where various symphonies are struggling to survive, there might be a certain attractiveness to being able to do what you're passionate about an not have to worry about a regular paycheck and health care. I would've LOVED to have been in a service band when I signed up in '63. But although I was as melodically capable as any tuba player I was aware of, I couldn't read music. I ended up being an aircraft electrician - with technical skills that served me thru my whole working life.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Mira,that is most lovely.

So glad you posted this. I am eating dinner and nodding along with the music.

Rec....

[jaysunb]

11. Gave me chills. n/t

[irisblue]

12. music and children's laughter and a dogs wagging tail are the few things that makes our species

worth keeping in this universe.

[appalachiablue]

13. Wonderful performance. What a beautiful holiday interlude for visitors.

The SI Air and Space Museum is a perfect setting for US Air Force band events.

[sheshe2]

14. So beautiful.

Thank you Mira~

[PotatoChip]

15. Wonderful!

Thanks to the acoustics of a place so cavernous, I bet it sounded even more amazing for the people there.

What a treat for them, and us!

[Dalai_1]

16. K&R n/t