German Big Band rocks Alamogordo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca
  • 49 FW/PA
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Big Band of the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, performed at the Tays Center on the University of New Mexico-Alamogordo campus Nov. 24 bringing a wide variety of swing, rock and pop music to the Holloman and Alamogordo community. 

The Big Band of the German Armed Forces, which is stationed in Euskirchen, Germany, is not a classic military umpaah band. 

This band has performed around the world since 1971, including performances for U.S. presidents. 

Today, the orchestra has 26 professional musicians. Each musician is a soloist
who play more than one instrument, which was made evident throughout the night. 

There were many solos performed on a variety of instruments including the saxophone, drums and guitar. 

"Professional presentation of good music" is the objective of the leader of the German
Armed Forces Big Band, Lt. Col. Christoph Lieder. He and his musicians have significantly contributed to the worldwide popularity of this orchestra. 

"This is a way for us to say thank you for the support and friendships we've found here," said German Air Force, Col. Peter Klement, commander of the Flying Training Center, of the performance.