United States Air Force Band of the Golden West Will Present A Salute to Bob Hope as Part of Program for the Redlands Bowl August 12

Redlands, CA.- The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West returns to the Redlands Bowl on August 12, 2003. The band, which performs a variety of music from pop to patriotic, will also be giving a musical tribute to Bob Hope in honor of his long time dedication to the men and women in the armed forces.

The USAF Band of the Golden West is stationed at Travis Air Force Base and is the only active duty Air Force Band west of the Rockies. The Band of the Golden West traces its roots to 1959 when it was the Air Force component of the famed NORAD Command Band. The band received its current name in 1994 when it merged with an Air Force band previously stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California.

The band currently has a Redlands connection. Meike Bruggeman, a saxophone player for the group, is a 1993 graduate of Redlands High School. No longer in the military, Meike continues to play with the band as a civilian.

Major Douglas Monroe assumed command of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West in 1998. He began his musical studies at Interlochen Arts Academy and received his Bachelor of Music in music education and clarinet performance from Michigan State University. He received his Masters in Music in clarinet performance from the University of Arizona. He has also studied at the Manhattan School of Music and Ohio State University.

The concert featuring the United States Band of the Golden West will begin at 8:15 p.m., with the Community Sing, led by Curtiss Allen, Sr. starting at 7:20 p.m. All events of the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival are presented without an admission charge.

The Redlands Bowl is located at 25 Grant Street in Redlands between Grant and Eureka Streets, just south of Brookside Avenue. For directions and more information, contact the office at 909/793-7316 or view the website at www.redlandsbowl.org