Air Waves
Air Force Quartet Warms Events At Start of Holiday Season
By Raoul Dennis // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE
From The Capital to Clinton – it’s all in a day’s work for the U.S. Air Force Band’s String Quartet.
The talented foursome were packing their instruments and readying themselves for a quick bite moments after they performed at the Andrews Business & Community Alliance luncheon at Mama Stella’s Restaurant in Clinton Nov. 22 (click here for more photos). They performed at The White House just the day before.
It’s the holiday season and the quartet has a full schedule through the New Year. But they perform nearly 365 days per year for veterans groups, military receptions and, of course, the American public.
“This is our job and we’re just happy to perform. This is a unique part of our job at the Air Force strings that we can be at the White House on one day and at a community event on the next,” says Senior Master Sergeant Bryce Bunner, a violist.
“Performing at the White House is always a distinct honor,” Bunner says. “We have been there quite a bit recently. We played at the state dinner for Australia in September, we played for The White House Halloween celebration in October where the President and the First Lady stand on the steps and give out candy to trick or treaters.”
On Nov. 21, the quartet attended The White House as President Trump was hosting a National Medal of the Arts awards presentation. An award was also given to the premiere service bands in Washington, D.C. “as a result of our performance at the state dinner for the Australian prime minister in September,” he says.
“It’s an honor to be able to be able to serve our country this way and make so many people happy through music,” Bunner explains when asked about performing at the White House.
But the string quartet found itself in Prince George’s the following day and performed classical selections that embellished the atmosphere of elegance and holiday spirit at the quaint family-based restaurant. Over 50 members of the business, faith and civic sectors joined with some of Joint Base Andrews’ officers and enlisted personnel.
The Alliance is meant to mesh the business, civic, faith and public sector communities in providing advocacy and support for Joint Base Andrews.
“It is a means to aid in impacting the lives of the men and women who serve our nation in the United States Air Force and all of our Armed Services,” says Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable and the Andrews Business & Community Alliance President M.H. Jim Estepp.
The quartet is completed with the talents of Senior Master Sergeant Vivian Podgainy, cello, Technical Sergeant Emily Barnes, Violin and Master Sergeant Ni Santiago, violin.
They serve under Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base’s Col. Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor.
Next steps for the quartet includes the another stop at the White House and on to the Vice President’s home, the Secretary of State, then Chief of Staff of the Air Force and more.
“We are all working multiple missions every day,” the Senior Master Sergeant says.
