TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Of the many military bands in existence, it is the USAF Band of the Golden West that represents Team Travis.

The Air Force Band of the Golden West, like the whole Air Force band program, traces its roots to the 1940's during World War II, when the Air Force was still part of the Army. At that time, Army Air Force bands were conducted and made famous by band leader Maj. Glen Miller.

The band is the only full-time musical unit west of the Rocky Mountains. Their mission is to support the Air Force's mission in war and peace by fostering the Air Force national heritage. The band is a 60-person unit, with 49 filled positions currently.

The band is divided into a variety of performing groups. It is comprised of the Mobility Band (rock band), concert band, jazz band, Travis Brass (formal brass band), the Woodwind Quartet and the Ceremonial Marching Band which is responsible for performing at many of the ceremonial events on base as well as performing in parades.

Most band recruits come from the civilian world and enlist to join the band. When there are positions to be filled, the military most often advertises for these positions through musician magazines or similar periodicals.

Since there is no technical school, those auditioning must already be a three-skill level to be considered.

"People must know their scales, and demonstrate competence of their instrument," said Master Sgt. Brian Wood, noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Travis Brass Quintet and NCOIC, Media Relations, USAF Band of the Golden West. "We audition at a higher level and need people to walk in and play well."

Once an individual successfully completes an audition and earns a position in the band, they immediately begin journeyman training. In this training, they will learn things like parade sequences and ceremonial music.

The band attempts to practice every day and despite having a state-of-the-art facility, it is difficult to have all the ensembles rehearsing at once because of the large number of players.

"We can usually have up to four different groups rehearsing at once," said Sergeant Wood.

Besides practicing, the band also acts as its own squadron. The band members themselves must keep up on all their own administrative issues.
"The bands usually practice in the morning, to allow time for their mission support duties," said Sergeant Wood.

In addition to their practicing and performing, each band member also works in one of six major shops in the facility. The facility is broken down into the commander's support staff, operations, schedule set-up, media relations, supply section and the library, which houses the band's music.

Some of these duties include arranging the show's itinerary and finding sponsors when playing at off-base events. Many times, sponsors will offer to pay for the concert site or arrange to pay for the advertising or the food at the event.

With 60 percent of the shows played off base, it is important that the band has sponsors to cover the cost of a non-military event, explained Sergeant Wood.

In total, the band plays between 450 and 475 performances per year. The concerts are divided up between each band ensemble. On average, each group is TDY for about 10 days per month, said Sergeant Wood. They have a general area of responsibility that covers a five-state region. This region includes the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Idaho.

In addition to playing out-of-state shows, the band also plays locally. They perform in downtown Fairfield for Christmas and hold a conductor's workshop in Vacaville. This is a clinic in which local music teachers or other interested individuals may receive coaching from accomplished music conductors and also get a chance to watch them conduct.

In May, the band will perform several local concerts that will lead up to Air Force Week in Sacramento from June 4 through 10.
Setting up for these shows locally or abroad can be quite a task.

"It gets a little crazy when we get ready to leave," said Sergeant Wood.
Sergeant Wood explained that preparing to go TDY requires getting the itinerary finalized, finishing any paperwork and taking care of all last minute details to enable the band to have a smooth trip.

"We work with a highly educated and professionally mature group," said Sergeant Wood, describing how the band plays and prepares for deployment.

"Although the band is a tenant unit, we have band members that are Rising Six members, we provide mentors for Airmen Leadership School and also provide members for the quarterly Director of Staff board. We try to help out the wing as much as possible," said Senior Master Sgt. William Castleman, Band of the Golden West superintendent

"There are so many wonderful things about being a member of the USAF Band of the Golden West. I have the opportunity to serve my country, work with amazing musicians, and do what I love for a living," said Airman 1st Class Rachel Trimble, USAF Band of the Golden West vocalist. "It brings me great joy knowing that a performance can lift the spirits of our audience, which often includes veterans, service men and women, parents and children."

For more information about the band, call 424-3735 or visit their Web site at http://131.9.254.113/pages/band/