Composer honors Tuskegee Airmen through music

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  What is the best way to honor those that have inspired a nation?

Music composer Brian DuFord gives thanks the best way he knows how - through music.

A personal connection to the Tuskegee Airmen inspired him to compose "Angels with Red Tails," a five-movement piece that details the historical account of the legendary African-American pilots.

"What inspired me most was getting to know my wife's uncle," DuFord said, referring to retired Lt. Col. Charles W. Dryden, author, pilot and Tuskegee Airman. "Although my late uncle-in-law's book inspired the project, the piece is really about all the Airmen and their collective experience."

Dryden commissioned in April 1942, was one of three graduates of the second pilot class at Tuskegee, Ala., and authored the book "A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman."

Not only was DuFord inspired by the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, he had a certain six-person, wind-instrument group in mind as he was writing the piece.

"Writing for the Langley Winds simply made sense," DuFord said. "This work is about an important chapter in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Writing for the Air Force ensemble, ties it all together, bringing the past into the present."

Connecting the past with the present is a link understood by members of the Langley Winds.

"The innovation we learned from the Tuskegee Airmen lives on today within all parts of our Air Force," said Tech. Sgt. Anne Epperly, U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Langley Winds chamber group. "We know our audience will love it; not only for the wonderful music, but the amazing story that inspired it."

Several members of the Tidewater Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen were among the attendees at a recent local premier of the piece.

Original Tuskegee Airman, retired Chief Master Sgt. Grant S. Williams, attended the concert and said he appreciated the performance.

"The work's timeline hits upon their dreams, training, combat and frustrations, then finally culminates in a celebration of their heroics and perseverance," DuFord said. "I hope the audience will gain an emotional understanding of what these men had to overcome and be curious to learn more about this amazing chapter in American history."