Back for the first time since 2019, the AirVenture Concert Band is here for another rocking performance.
It all started in 2007 when a group of musical aviators, under the direction of the late Elton Eisele, decided to come together and perform at that year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, creating what would be a yearly tradition for 13 years until the peak of COVID-19 hit and they couldn’t continue. After a five-year hiatus, they are back and better than ever.
Their first year, the band consisted of about 40 members, and with around 90 selected applicants this year, the Concert Band is looking very strong. The anticipation is high, and the members have been hard at work practicing their music since spring. Only half of the band members this year are returners, so they have had to put in a lot of time and energy to get where they are now.
Sadly, Elton died this spring, and the band’s new conductor, Robert Reid, has graciously taken on the demanding role on top of his other volunteer work as an AirVenture tram driver. In honor of Elton, they will be performing a tribute piece, along with the official songs for all six military branches, and more aviation themed pieces and patriotic tunes, keeping flying and Americana in mind.
These volunteer musicians come from all around the United States and even some from out of the country. From students to professional and retired musicians, the band is full of musical talent and a large variety of instruments, and everyone is a proud EAA member.
Longtime band member and AirVenture attendee, clarinet player Liz Leckey has been a big part of the band’s rebuild, but it would not have been able to progress without the support of Jack J. Pelton as well as Jon Eisele, Elton’s son.
“The EAA band is truly a grassroots endeavor. Some people feel that AirVenture has become too large and commercial,” Liz explained. “When Elton first wanted to have the band, he actually had some pushback, and it took him several years to get approved to do this. We recognize that EAA is not a music organization. However, the band is a place for people to touch base, have a smaller group to identify with, get together, have a good time, and, in this case, provide some entertainment for the entire airshow audience.”
“This is an opportunity for a lot of people that are extremely intelligent and extremely talented to come together, and not only celebrate the craft of flying, but also the art of playing an instrument,” Robert said.
For Liz, just being on stage again is exhilarating. “There’s something magical about being on a stage for a performance,” she said. “And you’re always learning something with a new group, no matter what.”
There are only two rehearsals in preparation for the concert: one on Monday and one today. The performance will take place at the Theater in the Woods tomorrow afternoon at 4:15 p.m.