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Air Force quintet pleases crowd at HHS

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

The U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band performs the theme song to "Harry Potter" Thursday evening during the Winds of Freedom concert in the Havre High School Auditorium.

The audience of nearly 300 people at Havre High School Auditorium for the U. S. Air Force's Heartland of America Band's Winds of Freedom concert Thursday night got a promise from the musicians at the very start.

"As the night goes on, you'll see that we are anything but traditional," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer James of Lincoln, Neb.

They lived up to the promise. The quintet performed music ranging from jazz, to classical, cartoon and Latin, as well as "Amazing Grace" and patriotic songs.

They even performed a Christmas tune.

Sgt. Jonathan Biccum explained that the band "wanted to be the first to wish you a happy holiday."

The concert, sponsored by the Havre Daily News, was assisted by HHS music students who ushered and collected tickets.

The band is on the road several months a year, entertaining people and bringing the Air Force's message to communities large and small. One member of the band is now deployed, performing for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The band was in Glasgow Wednesday night as part of its swing through North Dakota and Montana. It was hard for the members to recall just where they were.

"Is it Hay-ver or Have-er?" Staff Sgt. Crystal Proper asked the crowd.

When the audience shouted back, the right pronunciation, she commented about how welcome she felt when coming to town, especially seeing the band welcomed on the Taco John's marquee.

A patriotic theme prevailed throughout the evening.

"Aren't you happy to be living in a country where we can get together for a concert like this?" Biccum asked. "You can thank a veteran for that."

The band concluded the evening with a tribute to veterans when they performed the Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and Air Force anthems as the audience clapped along.

Then they packed up to head to concerts in Great Falls today and Conrad, Minn., on Saturday.

 

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