LORTON, Va. – Summer may be drawing to a close, but that hasn't stopped members of the U.S. Air Force Band from entertaining the masses at performances around the National Capital Region (NCR). On Aug. 10, the band's Summer Concert Series rolled into Lorton, Va. for a performance at the Workhouse Arts Center by its popular Strolling Strings.
Since 1954, the Strolling Strings have performed at the White House, on Capitol Hill for members of Congress and at official diplomatic events hosted by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The group also regularly performs at official dinners hosted by secretaries of state and defense.
Though, on this particular night, the music was solely intended for members of the local community, which included several military retirees. Performing such hits from artists like Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson, musicians surrounded the crowd to make for a uniquely pleasant, intimate performance.
Christian Drover joined his wife, Alice, for the performance after reading about it on the Air Force Band's website. The couple lives in nearby Occoquan, Va. and said there was no better way to spend the evening.
"We've seen other groups with the band, but not it's Strolling Strings. This was quite a treat for us," Drover said. "My wife and I weren't expecting to hear some of the songs they played. They are an immensely talented group of musicians."
The group's repertoire included some classical, bluegrass and patriotic compositions, as well. Alex Cheynet, a retired Army major, was another guest that came away impressed with the group's performance. He especially liked the Strolling Strings military tribute to each branch of service.
"Great music done with respect. That's how I would characterize tonight's performance," Cheynet said. "I wasn't too familiar with them before, but I'm certainly a fan now. I would love to see them again."
The Strolling Strings are comprised of musicians who have studied and perfected their craft at leading colleges, universities and music conservatories around the world. That background ultimately prepared them to excel during an intensive and competitive audition process before their selection for membership in the U.S. Air Force Band. For more information about the band, visit www.usafband.af.mil.