An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

New York fireworks to dance to Air Force band music

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --   When the fireworks blaze in the night sky during the nation's largest Independence Day celebration, they will dance, shimmer and boom to music from the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.

The organizers of Macy's 28th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular in New York City asked the band to record original music for the show. Macy's commissioned composer Doug Katsaros to write the score especially for the Air Force band, which had performed live two years ago at the holiday celebration.

The first week in March, the concert band reported to the Sound Kitchen, a state-of-the-art recording studio in Nashville, Tenn., to lay down the tracks, working with the composer to bring his work to life.

The choreographed pyrotechnics are the handy work of the world-famous Souza family's Pyro Spectaculars fireworks company. Company president Jim Souza said he was dazzled by the project and enjoyed working at the Sound Kitchen with a military band from the first note to finale.

"It was so overwhelming being there. It was very inspirational, and this event will be even more patriotic with the sounds of the Band of Mid-America incorporated in it," Mr. Souza said.

Mr. Katsaros, known for his work on the Broadway production of "Footloose," decided to change a tune mid-session, and the members of the band took it in stride.

"This is typical of what happens when we work on new projects," said Lt. Col. Steven Grimo, Band of Mid-America commander and conductor. "But my musicians are experienced professionals and can make these adjustments. We can usually get a new change recorded and in the can on the first take."

According to Macy's, the 30-minute fusion of fireworks and music will be viewed live by more than 2.5 million people, and another 25 million people will view the nationally televised display.

"This is a great way to get national attention for the U.S. Air Force. The band can reach so many people by doing this recording for the Fourth of July celebration," Colonel Grimo said. "This is like a typical civic outreach concert but on a much larger scale."

According to Colonel Grimo, the original music will be incorporated in a new compact disc, "Celebrate America," the band will release near Memorial Day.

Colonel Grimo said he plans to make the tracks available as audio downloads on the band's Web Site as well at www.bandofmid-america.com.