Blue Steel
Blue Steel……………………………………………………………………………….……………2
Fact Sheet……………………………………………….……………………………………………3
Group Leader and Musical Director of Blue Steel ………………………………………………..…4
Personnel…………….……………………………………………………………………………….5
Brief History of The United States Air Force Academy Band…...…. ……………………………...6
18 Jul 05
Blue Steel
Oriented towards America’s youth, the music of Blue Steel encompasses the styles of rhythm and
blues, top-40, classic rock, contemporary jazz, and country. As the only unit in The United
States Air Force Academy Band specifically dedicated to Air Force recruiting, Blue Steel and its high
energy shows unfailingly electrify high school audiences while impressing on them the progressive and
exciting opportunities found in today’s United States Air Force. Its seven performers are some of the
most versatile musicians in America. They have thrilled audiences throughout the United States,
Greenland and Poland. In addition to school and public performances, Blue Steel is a favorite of military
audiences and supports scores of ceremonial, protocol, and troop-support functions for the U.S. and
Canadian forces. Without fail, Blue Steel delivers a spellbinding package of energy, musicianship, and a
powerful “Stay in School” message to every performance. In a word, Blue Steel “rocks!”
The United States Air Force Academy Band is a 76-member organization that performs for millions of
people each year in support of United States Air Force recruiting and community relations. As one of two
premier bands in the Air Force, The Academy Band performs nearly 600 times annually from coast to
coast. In addition to this impressive schedule, the band serves and upholds a demanding performance
schedule for The United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Space Command, as well as other
performances and duties in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. A tradition of musical
excellence, one of the band’s core values, is maintained through rigorous auditions. Each member of the
band brings forth a wealth of educational and professional experiences to every performance and to the
organization.
The United States Air Force Academy Band and Blue Steel appear on behalf of the Superintendent,
The USAF Academy. All performances are free and open to the public.
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Fact Sheet
What they are Seven-piece popular music group featuring high-energy vocal and
instrumental performances, performing for audiences across the country
One of ten performing groups that comprise the 76-member
United States Air Force Academy Band
What they do Travel nationwide performing public concerts, patriotic shows, and civic
and military functions, highlighting the best of today’s popular music in
support of the United States Air Force
In conjunction with local Air Force school recruiting programs, Blue Steel
provides students with a positive image of professionals in today’s Air
Force
What makes Tremendous variety of contemporary musical styles performed for a
them unique broad range of audiences
Leadership Master Sergeant Cassandra Anderson, Group Leader
Technical Sergeant Jeremy Laukhuf, Musical Director
The United States Air Force Academy Band
Key Personnel Lieutenant Colonel Steven Grimo — Commander/Conductor
Captain Jeffrey B. Warner— Deputy Commander/Conductor
Chief Master Sergeant Marcelle S. M. Hureau—Band Manager,
Logistics
Chief Master Sergeant Randall A. Doersch — Band Manager, Support
Mr. Frederick C. Correll — Director of Operations
For more DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
information THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY BAND
contact 520 OTIS STREET
PETERSON AFB, CO 80914-1620
(719) 556-9916
FAX: (719) 556-9963
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Group Leader
Master Sergeant Cassandra Anderson
Technical Sergeant Cassandra Anderson, voice, hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She enlisted
in the United States Air Force in 1986. She specialized in career fields that included Air Transportation,
Passenger Service, Data Records, and Aircraft Load Planning. Cassandra studied piano and music theory
at Solano College in California, and applied voice at Sacramento University. She has also studied at The
Voice Studio in San Francisco, CA with Dave Stroud. Prior to joining the band career field, she
performed two consecutive tours with Tops in Blue, and was a featured artist on the “Jackson
Singers” gospel CD, recorded in Frankfurt Germany. While stationed at Travis AFB, California, she sang
the National Anthem at professional baseball games for such teams as the Oakland A’s and the San
Francisco Giants. Cassandra also wrote and performed an original song that was featured as background
music on the soap opera, All My Children. Sergeant Anderson joined The United States Air Force
Academy Band in February of 2002.
Musical Director
Technical Sergeant Jeremy Laukhuf
Technical Sergeant Jeremy Laukhuf, Musical Director and bass, hails from Lima, Ohio. He graduated
from Lima Bath High School, and later attended The Ohio State University where he received the
Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies. Prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1999, he
performed as a professional bassist in jazz, blues, salsa, rock, and pop bands. He entered the United States
Air Force in June of 1999, and became a member of The Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB,
Nebraska. While at Offutt, Jeremy was the bassist and musical director for the popular musical group,
Night Wing. He also performed in local symphonies, churches and stage productions. Sergeant Laukhuf
has been a member of The United States Air Force Academy Band since May of 2002.
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Personnel
Senior Master Sergeant Scott Barbier, drums and percussion, is a native of Colorado Springs,
Colorado. His musical studies began with his father, a former Academy Band percussionist. He and his
father worked together for in The Academy Band for over two years and hold the unique distinction of
being the only father-son team ever assigned to that organization. Scott furthered his musical education
by studying percussion with Tom Mendola and Bill Keister of The Faunt School of Creative Music in Los
Angeles, California. He holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Music from the Community
College of the Air Force and the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Regis University, where he
graduated Summa Cum Laude. Sergeant Barbier joined The United States Air Force Academy Band in
1981.
Master Sergeant Michael E. Riley, audio engineer, is a native of the Rochester, New York. After
graduating from high school, he was selected as Concertmaster for the American Musical Ambassadors
European Tour in July of 1984, performing in eight countries. Later that year, Michael became involved
with a unique music program at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Through this opportunity,
he performed on clarinet, saxophone, flute, and drums with bands that included hearing and visually
impaired musicians. In 1987, he was accepted into the State University of New York at Fredonia's
accredited Sound Recording Technology program, studying under Ros Ritchie. Michael received the
Bachelor of Science Degree in 1990, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He then worked as a recording
engineer and freelance musician in the Rochester area. Since joining The United States Air Force
Academy Band in 2003, Sergeant Riley has worked with virtually every component group of the band,
providing live sound reinforcement and recording services. He has mixed shows for audiences in 26
states, as well as Greenland and Poland. Throughout his entire career, Sergeant Riley has, to his credit,
over two dozen CD and video projects. He has been a member of the Audio Engineering Society since
1987. His military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct
Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation
Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Technical Sergeant Julie Bradley, voice, is from Wichita, Kansas. She received the Bachelor and
Master in Music Education degrees from Wichita State University. Before joining The United
States Air Force Academy Band in September of 1999, Julie taught vocal music in both the middle school
and high school levels. She has been a featured soloist with the Air Capital Big Band and the WSU Jazz
Arts Ensemble. In addition to performing with Blue Steel, Sergeant Bradley has performed with the
Concert Band, Galaxy Brass and Wild Blue Country.
Technical Sergeant Stephen L. Brannen, guitar, hails from Nashville, Tennessee. He holds the
Recording Industry degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Stephen has also attended Northeast
Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana and the University of Texas at Arlington. He has studied with
Charles Postlewaite, Steve Owens and Rick Hayden. Stephen entered the United States Air Force in
March of 1989, and was assigned to Scott AFB, Illinois and later Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. In 1994, he
separated from the Air Force and performed as a guitarist at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee, until
1997. He later re-enlisted in November of 1999 and was assigned to Langley AFB, Virginia. Sergeant
Brannen has been a member of The United States Air Force Academy Band since January of 2002.
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BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY BAND
Colorado Springs is home to The United States Air Force Academy Band, one of America’s
most prestigious and outstanding military band organizations. Performing nearly 600 times
annually throughout America, the band presents free public concerts in support of Air Force
recruiting and Air Force Academy community relations. In addition to this impressive and
grueling schedule, The United States Air Force Academy Band also performs at military
ceremonies and esprit de corps functions which benefit the men and women of our nation’s
armed forces.
The band’s colorful history can be traced back to its inception in 1942. The band originated as
an ensemble called “The Flying Yanks,” which was founded by two American airmen in
England. The Yanks performed for the general public, live radio broadcasts, and for the Eighth
Air Force Victory Bond drives. In March of 1944, the ensemble was designated as the 739th
Army Air Force Band.
The 739th Band, which became one of most outstanding military bands in Europe during WWII,
was deactivated on October 20, 1945. It was reactivated on May 10, 1955 and assigned to the
United States Air Force Academy at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado. In order to fill
positions in this newly designated Air Force Academy Band, band commanders of the other Air
Force bands were asked to screen their musicians to identify their best personnel.
In 1958, The Academy Band relocated to the newly constructed Air Force Academy campus
near Colorado Springs to support the cadet wing at wing parades, military ceremonies, and
athletic events. From 1958 to 1993, The Air Force Academy Band contributed to the training
and development of more than 26,000 cadets.
In 1993, The Air Force Academy Band was renamed The United States Air Force Band of the
Rockies and was reassigned to Headquarters, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force
Base, Colorado Springs. On October 1, 2003, the band returned to its roots and was redesignated
The United States Air Force Academy Band. The Academy Band is proud to continue its long-
standing commitment to musical and military excellence in its service to the nation.
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