IThe TAC Band was featured on NBC’s "Today Show on November 21,1990. The show

was broadcast from the flight deck of the USS Roosevelt and included a number of featurestories on Operation Desert Shield.The TAC Sand has been supporting troops arriving home from operation Desert Storm.

In February one group performed for President Bush and returning troops at SeymourJohnson AFt NC. In March, the ceremonial group played at Langley for the return of theFirst Fighter Wing. In April they plAyed for returning planes of the 9th Air Force at 51mwAFB,SC.On March 1,1991 the concert band performed for the Maryland Music Educator’s

National Conference in Ocean City MD.In January, a "Ceremonial Music" Compact Disc was recorded. Still in production, this

disc will contain the most complete collection ofceremonial musk ever prothwed by anAir Force Band.Two new recordings were completed last October at Ogden Hall, Hampton University.

The latest recording "Christmas in Harnptcc Roads" was sent to all PBS stations across thecountry.The Brass Quintet performed over 15 engagements during the Christmas season 1990.

CODARETIRED AIR FORCE BANDLEADERSAND SUPERINTENDENTSSOCIETY

Founded 1980

JULIAUG199I VOLX[NO.4

PERSONAL! ACTIVE NOTESCm. GEORGES HowaiD THE TACTICAL AIR COMMAND BAND

Langley AF Base VA"Congratulations to the Air Force in

naming Lit Alan Bonner Commander/Conductorof the USAF Band. No betterchoice could have been made. Col Sonnerwill carry on the high standards of the AirForce Sand, and in lime exceed them. As aformer conductor of the USAF Band,nothing gives me more pleasure than to seethe band climb to new heights and to setnew standards. I know that all the readersof the CODA will join me in lookingforward to having Cot Sonnet recreate thedream of General "Hap" Arnold when heordered me to build the "Best Damn Bandin the World." I believe Col Bonnet is theman who can do it.I’m still struggling with my book.

Eventually I will have all the material, butputting it together is another matter. If youevethave the urge towtiteyourautobiogtaphy, think about it twice, then find thenearest tree, buy a horse and a lasso.Throw one end of the lasso over a treebranch, tie the other end around your neck,clint aboard the beast, dig in the spurs ifyou have some and away goes the horse.It will be much easier that way as well asmaking history for the CODA.’...GSH

Bonn R.Erra

‘Many thanks fir all your good efforts onbehalf of the RAFSL organization...yoursalary shoud be doubled, or would youprefer your retirement doubted?When your recent updated roster arrived,

I took the time to peruse it carefully andwas astonished to learn that I knew 43friends and acqukaintances. Amazing,consideting that! left the Air Force in19531Hopetosee all of you in 1992’..SRE

15TH An, Focs BANDMarch AFBase, CA

1990 marked the Centennial anniversary ofYosemite and Sequoia National Parks and the50th anniversary of Kings Canyon National Park - - all in the Heart ofthe Sierras.To celebrate this historic event the 15th AF Sand of the Golden West has produced

Srana Wixra - CacwmsOva nrz Rarvox or Lrany. As far as we are aware thisrecording charts some unexplored territory for all of the Air Force Bands. We’ve composed original music works in a New Age/Jan Fusion style to depict a pilot’s imjressbus flying from March MB, CA north over the Sierras.Another recording, "Guarding a Heritage," is primarily a narrative history of the 15th AirFxce. It includes sections which feature the band.

SAC BAND HISTORIAN NEEDS HELP

A 1C Craig Villani is researching the history of the SAC Band. If you have any: pictures,programs, news clippings, or other documents on the band, please send them to him doThe SAC Band, OfTutt An, NE 68113-5000. Craig will have them duplicated and sendthe originals back to you. Current endeavors include finding pictures ofCWO Frederic,Capt Maniscalco, Major freer, LW Roland and the leaders of the band when it was atAn&esnA, MD and before. He is also looking for any old Army/Navy magazines. Ifyou have any information or questions, please contact him.

RAFBL Page 1

ACTIVE NOTES...cont’d

MAC BAND NEEDS PICTURESof former commanders:2/Li Ilenrylliseman 1942WOJU Rob’t L tandem 19432/LtTECronk 1944CWO Gmtn Pentz 19452/U Hal Glidden 1946cwo Phillip Azwlina 1946C5 Julian Rothenberger 1951Maj Donald Lindsey 1951CptBennieManiscalco 1960C$ Harold Johnson 1966Maj Herman Vincent 1973Cpt Ray Toler 1975MajChartesPettijobn 1978LtcRonaldCarl 1980MajRogerSebby 1981

Send items to Ale Mark Stanford, 528 AFSand, Scott AF Base, IL 62225.

SM/PA Restructure:

"To meet a 30 percent reduction in the nextfive years, SAFIPA will go horn 68 to47people. We’ll make a few changes insbuctwe, like eliminating branches andsetting up a press desk operation, butremain pretty much the same. What rmdemanding however, is that we become themost professional PA office in DOD -dedicated to people, service and qualitysupport. We must be credible, relevantand ready to do ourjob doctrinally andlogistically - in peacetime or in combatNothing else will suffice."

signed: HElobeitsonBrigadier General, USAFDirector of Public Aihirs

50thAnniversary ConCert

The USAF BandSep14, 1991

8 PMConstitution HallWashington, DC

Everyone is invited!

BIOGRAPHY

ROBERT MARCELLUSMASTER MuSIcIAN SItU. SEES OPPORTUNITY.

Rep4nted from the International DiabetesCenter’s magazine.

Among musicians around the world,Robert Maitellus is considered amaster..certainly among the finest clarinetplayersofalltüne.At 17,hewasoneofthe youngest musicians ever hired by amajor US ottbesba, the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington DC.Now at age 61, Professor Maitellus has

achieved an international reputation as aclarinet teacher. Students come from allparts of the globe to study with him atNorthwestern University in Evanston, IL.Marcellus does not take his succes forgranted..especially because he is blind.He was diagnosed with Type I diabetes

during the summer of 1950,just after hisdischarge from the Air Force. What hewas discharged, the AF did several routinetests, but they didn’t do a blood test fordiabetes. When the diagnosis finally wasmade, Marcellus adjusted quickly to thedaily shots of insulin and the change indiet. He recalls he was "young and strongand didn’t think much about it" He badother things on his mind.

Right Place, ,ight MareMareellus’ caner began on a train to

New York when a member of the NationalSymphony noticed his double clarinet case.By the time they pulled into PennsylvaniaStation, the 17 year old musician was onhis way to an illustrious career."So much ofsuccess is opportunity,"

says Marcelhis. "I took the easy way byplaying with an orchestra first and bypass.ing the typical conservatory route."He stayed with that orchestra for a year,

then joined the Air Forte where he playedin the US Ma Fates Bo. He rejoinedthe National Symphony after his dischargeand became principal clarinetist at the ripeold age of22.At that time, neither Marcellus’ career

nor his personal life was affected by hisdiabetes. In 195l,he met his wife, Marion,a pianist while playing in Washington.After a two-year courtship, they weremarried. Right after the ceremony they

headed west, where Marcellus becameprincipal clarinetist lbv the ClevelandOrchestra, one of the most widely acclaimed and honored orchestras in theworM,During that time, he did what few

musicians ever dream of- world tours,playing fir royalty, recording, and conducting. His 1961 recording of Mozart’sConcerto fir Clarinet is still hailed bycritics as the definitive rendition ofthework In 1959, he became assistantconductor of the University Circle Orchestra, as well as music director and conductorof the Cleveland Philharmonic. This was aman who had it all. Until the fall of 1973.A.ftersuftàing a retinal hemonbage,

Mantellus was told he had diabeticretinopathy. He sought the advice ofseveral specialists, who all said the samething: Long hours of clarinet playing wereplacing too much pressure on the yeS inhis eyes. Continuing to play would onlymake his condition worse.

"I was 45 years old and at the peak of mycareer" he remembers. "it was a toughdecision, to say the lest"But he made it without skipping a beat

He left the orchestra, ‘itch in recognitionofhis devotion to music permanentlyendowed the principal clarinet chair in hisname, and pursued "an opportunity" tojointhe winds and percussion department atNorthwestern’s School ofMusic.He was no stranger to teaching, having

given private lessons fbr years and holdingpositions at the Cleveland Institute ofMusic and Kent State University’sBlossom Festival School. Young clarinetits went to great lengtha for the chance tostudy with him. One ofthose students,Steven Ban, now principal clarinetist withthe Baltiniore Symphony Orchestra, linedup an audition fir the Blossom FestivalSchool, even though be knew he wasn’tready.

"I just wanted him to hear me play," saysBaits. "I was a big fan ofhis playing. Hecaptured something beautiful andpoetic..that unusual quality that really-the ear."Baits didn’t get into Blossom., but

Marvellus agreed to take him on as astudent in Cleveland. "I was ecstatic to saythe least," Barta says.Marcellus continued teaching and

conducting, but despite several laseroperations, he lost the sight in his right

RAFBL PEge2

eye. By the spring of 1984. he wascompletely blind. To no ones surprise, hedidn’t allow this personal tragedy tobecome a professional one. Within fourdays of going blind, Matvellus was back inhis office teaching the clarinet."I thought it best to jump right back in

the pool," he says. "It was the rightdecision?"I remained optimistic about teaching,"

he adds. "1 knew the repertoire from somuch experience. But conducting was adifferent entity. One obstacle seemed to bethe importance ofeye contact between theconductor and the musicians. I didn’t knowbowl could overcome that."In the midst of these doubts, Marcellus

took advantage of another opportunity: toconduct the youth orchestra at theVancouver Academy of music."I got my feet wet with that appearance,"

says Marcellus. "It had all the ingredientsofa regular professional orchestra concert- excellent musicians, a dynamic.beautiful ball, and a full-length program. Itgave me the confidence to continue withthat side of my life."Today, Maitellus conducts three or four

concerts a year, his one limitation being heconducts only those pieces be has performed before. He studies by listening torecordings, a technique similar to one beteaches his students; to rely more on theirears and less on their eyes or the printedpage.His students play a pivotal role in

helping Marveling cope with his blindpes&"They are my right arm" be says.Three graduate assistants are assigned to

him each year to drive him to and flnm thecampus and handle his correspondence andadministrative tasks. Last year, one ofthem accompanied him to a guest appearance in Minneapolis, squiring him torehearsals and the concert and escortinghim on and off the tge.But the key player in his ability to cope

with his blindness is his wife, Marion."Her supped-both emotional andpractical-has been invaluable? he says."She has kept up with the latest information about diabetes and the importance ofproper nutrition. She comes up withdelicious, nutritious meals. In addition tothe rest of her responsibilities, she handlesall the complex aspects dour finances. It’squite a job. I could not have achieved somuch without her."

Marcellus says the rewards of teachingare equal to those of playing. "It isajoy towork with such an elite group of studentsfrom all over the world-young peoplewho Sit my love for the symphonyorchestra."Ban says Maivellus’ students reap the

"I know it sounds corny, but hereally is a hero. It’s like the young athleteaspiring to be Ted Williams. He las aremarkable, magnetic quality-both in theway he played and now teaches music-that is hard to find today.""Many teachers can tell you what your

problems are, but Maxvellus, using just theright words, enables you to over comethem. He unleashed abilities in me I didn’teven know I had."Marcellus is much more than a role

model for students of the clarinet Hisachievements show all people withdisabilities that they still have opportunities to excel.

%‰iuen by Deborah Weiner

CODA ...h the offlcialpublication of theRAPBL Society..Louis C. Kricbcl, Editor5647 Rosewall Qrcle,Lecsburg, FL 34748Thone: 904/728-5966

I UNOFFICIALTJOver the next five yesrs, the Department

Of Defense is to be cut 25%. This includesactive duty personnel as well as civilianpersonnel. Officers considered forpromotion for the first time and passedover, will be required to resign or retire, asthey will no longer be considered. The ageofbeing promoted after two or threepassovers is a thing of the pest!

..E4itor

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

FtkyiAlqnflanrWntwcH260 Pacific Heights

L Santa Rosa CA 05403

..----- ‘I

S

RAFBL Page 3

THE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCEBAND OF THE GOLDENWEST

4 g A

MARCH AIR FoRcE BASE1 JFORNIA

1901 CONCERT SCHEDULE

LOCATION

Valley Wide Park, Bernet, Ca‘Sea World, San Diego, Ca

Ed Hales Park, Redlands, CaTrinity Lutheran Church, Riverside, CaEd Hales Park, Redlands, CaOrgan Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaDowntown Wednesday Night, Riverside, CaSunrise Park, Palm Springs, CaLompoc Flower Festival, Lompoc, CaLibrary Park Band Shell, Monrovia, Ca

8:15 PM Redlands Bowl, Redlands, CaTBA Moreno Valley High School, Moreno Valley, Ca

cue, With Fireworks ens

‘Lodgepole Campground TheatreSequoia National Park, Ca

3 7:00 PM ‘Grant Grove AmphitheaterKings Canyon National Park, Caetosemite National Park, Caetosemite National Park, CaBishop, CaPertorming Arts Outdoor Stage, Maoth Lake., CaLone Pine, CaFestival of Arts, 1.aguna, CaIndian Beach Park, Canyon Lake CaSpreckels Park, Coronado, CaAlbambra, CaHarris Amphitheatre, Whittier College, CaDuarti, CaScripps Park by the Cove, La Jolla, CaRiverside, CaMemorial Park, Claremont, Ca

55789

161718202324252526September

1 7:00 PM2 TBA4 7:00 PM8 5:30 PM

21 11:00 AM21 5:00 PM22 12:00 PMDecember9 7:30PM

10 7:30 PM18 7:30 PM

7:30 PM11:00 AM7:00 PM6:00 PM7:00 PM6:30 PM7:00 PM8:00 PM7!30 PM7:00 PMTBA2:00 PM6:00 PM7:30 PM

Lucerne Valley, CaLancaster, CaFurman Park, Downey * CaWarner Park, Woodland Hills, CaDanish Days Festival, Solvang, CaHans Christian Andersen Park, Solvang, CaHans Christian Andersen Park, Solvang, Ca

Palm Springs High School, Palm Springs, CaRiverside Municipal Auditorium, Riverside, CaOxnard Civic Auditorium, Oxnard, Ca

Tucaipa, CaPico Rivera, Ca

GROUP

Concert BandConcert Band

Brass QuintetBrass QuintetWoodwind QuintetConcert BandPopular Music ComboConcert BandPopular Music ComboJazz West

Concert BandConcert Band andPopular Music ComboPopular Music ComboPopular Music Combo

Concert Band

Concert Band

Concert BandConcert BandConcert BandConcert BandConcert BandConcert BandConcert BandConcert BandPopular MusicConcert BandPopular MusicConcert BandPopular MusicConcert Sand

Popular Music ComboPopular Music ComboConcert HandConcert BandBrass QuintetConcert BandConcert Band

Concert BandConcert BandConcert Band

Combo

Combo

Combo

‘Note Admission charge to enter the park. The concert itself is still free.

TOPLIJ

DATE TIMay25 2:00 PM26 12:00 PMJune5 6:00 PM8 7:30 PM

13 6:00 PM18 6:30 PM10 7:30 PM20 8:30 PM22 10:00 AM23 TBAJuly24

28 5:00 PM30 6:30 PMAugust2 4:01 PM

FREE ADMISSION