Finding Aid for 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest Records (Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois), 1918-1993 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By A. Akers, C. Berthold, B. Callahan, S. Garrett, E. Glasco, M. Hynes, A. Pappas, C. Pokrzywinski, K. Ramsey, J. Schmitt, E. Shores, P. Wheelhouse, R. Wolfslayer

[Printer Friendly] | [ Email us about these papers]

Collection Overview

Title: 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest Records (Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois), 1918-1993

ID: 12/9/146

Primary Creator: 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest (1941-1991)

Extent: 6.5 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized in four series: Series 1: Scrapbooks (1957-1991), Series 2: Photographs (1918-1992), Series 3: Administrative Records and Sound Recordings (1918-1991), and Series 4: Baton, Drumsticks and Band Uniform. Series 1 is organized into three subseries: Subseries 1: Historical Scrapbooks (1957-1987), Subseries 2: Concert Programs (1963-1991), and Subseries 3: Photographic Scrapbooks (1960-1991), all arranged by volume number. Series 2 is arranged by either music ensemble or subject with photographic prints listed first, followed by slides and negatives. Series 3 and 4 are arranged by type of records or subject.

Date Acquired: 12/10/2015

Subjects: Air Force Band of the Midwest (U.S.), Bands, Big bands, Chanute Air Force Base (Ill.), Chanute Field (Ill), Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917-1993, Marching bands, Military Bands

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of scrapbooks; color and black and white photographic prints, negatives, slides and contact sheets; correspondence and administrative records; newspaper clippings; concert programs; awards; and sound recordings documenting the general operation and performances of the 505th Air Force Band's different music ensembles between 1957 and 1991, and the band's reunion concert in 1993. Of particular importance is a 1983 album featuring the unit's jazz band, The Pacesetters, performing with Dizzy Gillespie and recorded live at Wisconsin's Fond du Lac Jazz Festival (see Series 3, Box 11). In addition the records also include a copy of a newspaper article and a photographic print ca. 1918 of an early Chanute Field band which the 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest traces its origin.

Biographical Note

The 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest, a multi-faceted military band, was constituted September 24, 1941 and formally activated October 1, 1941 as the Air Force Band, Chanute Field, Illinois (later Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois). The band traces its origin to an unofficial post band founded at Chanute in 1918. It was first designated as the 5th Army Air Forces Band on August 10, 1942 and re-designated multiple times, finally becoming known as the 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest on September 26, 1947. More information on the band's designations and activation records can be found in Series 1, Box 1, Folder 1. Operating for nearly 50 years, the unit was disbanded as part of a reduction in the number of Air Force bands and ahead of the closure of Chanute Air Force Base in 1993. The 505th Air Force Band began as a 45-member unit, and was later downsized to 35 members. Large ensembles consisted of a concert/symphonic band, a ceremonial band, a marching band, as well as a big band-style jazz band, The Pacesetters (initially known as The Highknights). Several chamber music ensembles included the Lincoln Land Brass Quintet (or brass ensemble), a woodwind quintet and a clarinet quartet. The 505th also featured several different pop/rock bands throughout its history, including Horizon, Thyme, and Solo Flight. Well-known throughout the Midwest, the band in its various configurations and ensembles frequently gave concerts and participated in community festivals, parades, school assemblies, educational programs throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, also performing in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky. The band and its ensembles produced a number of albums the most notable of which is an album featuring The Pacesetters with Dizzy Gillespie from the 1983 Wisconsin Jazz Festival in Fond du Lac. The final performance of 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest was at the Champaign County 4th of July Freedom Celebration on June 27, 1991 under the direction of Commander Allen C. Sierichs. The 505th Air Force Band of the Midwest's records were previously held by the Chanute Air Museum (1994-2015), received in 1998 following closure of the base. The records were transferred to the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in December of 2015 after the museum closed.

Subject/Index Terms

Air Force Band of the Midwest (U.S.)
Bands
Big bands
Chanute Air Force Base (Ill.)
Chanute Field (Ill)
Gillespie, Dizzy, 1917-1993
Marching bands
Military Bands

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Access Restrictions: No restrictions

Acquisition Source: Chanute Air Museum

Acquisition Method: Gift

Related Materials: The historical records documenting the general operation of the Chanute Air Force Base were transferred to the Champaign County Historical Archives in May of 2015. These records include blueprints and maps, base publications, oral histories, aerial photographs of the base, subject files, photographs, scrapbooks and video recordings. In addition some records were also transferred from the Chanute Air Museum to the National Museum of the United States Air Force located in Dayton, Ohio.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1957-1991],
[Series 2: Photographs and Negatives, 1918-1992],
[Series 3: Administrative Records and Sound Recordings, 1918-1991],
[Series 4: Baton, Drumsticks and Band Uniform, ca. 1980s],
[All]

Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1957-1991

Series 1 consists of the scrapbooks documenting the operation and performances of the band that were compiled by the Chanute base historians sometime between 1957 and 1991. The series is organized into three sub-series: Sub-series 1: Historical Scrapbooks 1957-1987; Sub-series 2: Concert Programs 1963-1991; Sub-series 3: Photographic Scrapbooks ca. 1960-1991.

Sub-Series 1: Historical Scrapbooks, 1957-1987

Consists of military orders, concert programs, newspaper clippings, press releases, community citations, photographs, and correspondence documenting the performance legacy of the band between 1957 to 1987.

Box 1

Folder 1: Historical scrapbook, v. I, part 1, 1957-1968
Folder 2: Historical scrapbook, v. I, part 2, 1957-1968
Folder 3: Historical scrapbook, v. II, part 1, 1968-1969
Folder 4: Historical scrapbook, v. II, part 2, 1968-1969
Folder 5: Historical scrapbook, v. III, part 1, 1969
Folder 6: Historical scrapbook, v. III, part 2, 1969

Box 2

Folder 1: Historical scrapbook, v. IV, part 1, 1969-1971
Folder 2: Historical scrapbook, v. IV, part 2, 1969-1971
Folder 3: Historical scrapbook, v. V, part 1, 1972-1978
Folder 4: Historical scrapbook, v. V, part 2, 1972-1978
Folder 5: Historical scrapbook, v. VI, part 1, 1972-1987
Folder 6: Historical scrapbook, v. VI, part 2, 1972-1987

Box 3

Folder 1: Historical scrapbook, v. VII, part 1, 1974-1983
Folder 2: Historical scrapbook, v. VII, part 2, 1974-1983
Folder 3: Historical scrapbook, v. VIII, part 1, 1974-1987
Folder 4: Historical scrapbook, v. VIII, part 2, 1974-1987
Folder 5: Photographic scrapbook pages, ca. 1970s

Sub-Series 2: Concert Programs, 1963-1991

Consists of the type script concert programs produced by the Chanute base's staff for all local and tour performances by the band between 1963 and 1991. The bulk of the programs date from 1963 to 1975.

Box 4

Folder 1: Concert programs, part 1, 1963-1973
Folder 2: Concert programs, part 2, 1963-1973
Folder 3: Concert programs, part 1, 1974-1976 and 1991
Folder 4: Concert programs, part 2, 1974-1976 and 1991

Sub-Series 3: Photographic Scrapbooks, ca. 1960-1991

Consists of photographs, press releases, newsclippings, correspondence, and concert programs documenting the nature of the base's different ensembles and members, and their performances between ca. 1960 and 1991.

Box 4

Folder 5: "Bands," v. I, 1981-1987

Box 5

Folder 1: "Bands," v. II, part 1, 1986-1991
Folder 2: "Bands," v. II, part 2, 1986-1991
Folder 3: Photographic scrapbook, part 1, ca. 1960-1974
Folder 4: Photographic scrapbook, part 2, ca. 1960-1974

Series 2: Photographs and Negatives, 1918-1992

Series 2 consists of black and white and color photographic prints, contact sheets, negatives and slides, documenting the make of each fo the base's bands and places they performed between 1918 and 1992. The bulk of the photographs date between 1963 and 1985.

Box 5

Folder 5: Marching band, photographic prints, 1918-1992: Black and white and color photographic prints
Folder 6: Marching band, slides, ca. 1960: Black and white and color slides
Folder 7: Band and marching band, negative and contact sheets, 1978-1983: Black and white negatives and contact sheets

Box 6

Folder 1: Rock Band, ca. 1980s: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 2: Rock Band [negatives], ca. 1980s: Black and white negatives
Folder 3: Jazz Band, 1980-1991: Black and white and color photographic prints
Folder 4: Jazz Band [negatives], undated: Black and white negatives
Folder 5: Concert Band, 1976-1986: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 6: Concert Band [negatives], 1978: Black and white negatives
Folder 7: Brass Quintet, 1986-1991: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 8: Symphonic Band, undated: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 9: Flag Day Concert, 1991: Color photographic prints
Folder 10: Education Outreach and Festival Performances, 1977-1987: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 11: Band members, ca. 1977: Black and white photographic prints
Folder 12: Band 1, 2, and 3 [negatives], undated: Black and white negatives
Folder 13: Woodwind Quartet [negatives], 1978: Black and white negatives

Series 3: Administrative Records and Sound Recordings, 1918-1991

Consists of correspondence, publicity materials, programs, newsclippings, publications, awards, and lists of music that were available for use through other military and local bands' music performance libraries. Also included in this series are sound recordings that were either produced by the 505th band or other military bands that were used by the Air Force Band of the Midwest. In addition there are additional newsclippings documenting the early 1918 band and recordings of the base's jazz band performing with Dizzy Gillespie in 1983.

Box 7

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1977-1989
Folder 2: Press Kit and Publicity Materials, 1985
Folder 3: Programs and Newspaper Clippings, October 25, 1918 and 1974-1993
Folder 4: Publications, 1972-1986
Folder 5: Military and Collegiate Band Sheet Music Catalogs, 1973

Box 8

Folder 1: 505th Air Force Band Insignia Color Print, undated
Folder 2: Awards, Certificates and Commendations, ca. 1970-1990

Box 9

Item 1: Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) Change of Command Ceremony, Edwards Air Force Base, CA, July 8, 1985
Item 2: Portage, MI Community Bandshell Dedication Concert, July 23, 1988

Box 10

Item 1: Indianapolis 500 Festival, ca. 1980
Item 2: "Chanute Air Force Band 1941-1991" brass nameplate
Item 3: "Chanute Air Force Band 1941-1991" brass nameplate,

Box 11

Item 1-2: " 'Aiming High:' Chanute Air Force Base at 75 Years." The Air Force Band of the Midwest; conducted by Captain Alan Sierichs. Hixson, TN: Crystal Inc., 1991. Cassette tape.: Aiming High; Blue Skies; Those Magnificent Men; Wind Beneath My Wings; Air Force Time; Florentiner March; Only You; Falling in Love with Love; Burn the Bridge; Bluegrass of Kentucky; The Battle; Everyday, I Have the Blues; Battle of the Bop Brothers; Don't Have to Try; I Dig Rock and Roll Music; Interlochen Fanfare; St. James Infirmary; Our Lives Are Changing
Item 3-4: "An Evening in December." The Air Force Band of the Midwest; conducted by Captain Alan Sierichs. Hixson, TN: Crystal Inc., 1991. Cassette tape.: An Evening in December; Carol of the Bells; I Heard the Bells; With Bells On; Christmas Crackers; The Christmas Song; White Christmas; Traditions of Christmas; Thank God for Kids; The Little St. Nick; Sleigh Ride; Frosty the Snowman; Jingle Bell Rockin'; Up on a Housetop; Carol Fantasy; I'll Be Home for Christmas; Auld Lang Syne
Item 5: "Back to Back." TAC Jazz Band; Final Approach. Langley Air Force Base, VA: TAC Band, 1987. LP disc.: Slaughter On 10th Avenue; My Ship; Typical, New and Tyler, Too; When the Saints Go Marching In; Cabaret; Come Fly with Me; The Nearness of You; Hallelujah, I Just Love Her So; Sugarfoot Rag (Retomped); God Bless the USA; Rocky Top
Item 6: "Comin' At Ya." Band of the Air Force Reserve Jazz Ensemble; directed by CMSgt. John J. Grove. AF-RES-CAY. [Robins Air Force Base, GA: 581st Air Force Band, c.1961.] LP disc.: Groove Blues; Tee Time; Smiling Out Loud; Amanda; Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most; Ridin' High; My Ship; Bye Bye Blues
Item 7: "Live! At the Wisconsin Jazz Festival with Dizzy Gillespie." Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet; The Pacesetters, The Air Force Band of the Midwest. Washington, D.C.: United States Air Force, 1983. LP disc.: Malaguena; A Night in Tunisia; Lover Come Back to Me; Things Ain't What They Used to Be; Round Midnight; Manteca; Things to Come
Item 8: "Live! At the Wisconsin Jazz Festival with Dizzy Gillespie." LP disc. (Copy 2)
Item 9: "The United States Air Force Academy Band Presents Blue Steel [and] Wild Blue Country." Blue Steel; Wild Blue Country. Clarence, NY: Mark Custom Records, 1987. LP disc.: Hip to Be Square; Freeway of Love; Love Means Forever; Be Good to Yourself; Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone; Oklahoma Borderline; Rodeo Queen; Daddy's Hands; Mountain Music; Bury Me; Blue Moon of Kentucky; 40 Hour Week
Item 10-11: "The United States Air Force Band of the Midwest: Pacesetters." Roger Pemberton, saxophone; The Pacesetters, The Air Force Band of the Midwest. Chanute AFB, IL: U.S. Air Force Band of the Midwest, 1984. LP disc.: Boomerang; The Other World; Coral; Rico 3; So High; The Duke; Blues in Five; Stars and Stripes Forever
Item 12: "The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific Northwest. 'A Touch of Blue' Jazz Ensemble." McChord Air Force Base, WA: 724th Air Force Band of the Pacific Northwest, 1985. LP disc.: The One in All; The Summer of 42; Time After Time; Don't Be That Way; Joy Spring; Little One; The Lady is a Tramp; Nice 'n' Easy; God Bless the U.S.A.

Series 4: Baton, Drumsticks and Band Uniform, ca. 1980s

Consists of a conductor's baton, drumsticks and a military uniform used by the 505th Air Force Band for recuitment and promotion during the bands' performances throughout the midwest between 1957 and 1991.

Box 12

Item 1: Baton: White painted shaft with cork base; inscribed "505th Air Force Band of the Midwest" (Accession # 2015.1209146.008)
Item 2: Bass Drum Mallet: Ludwig wooden bass drum mallet (Accession # 2015.1209146.009)
Item 3: Drumsticks, pair: Natural wood finish; Regal tip by Caiato (Accession # 2015.1209146.010)

Box 13

Item 1: Pants: U.S. Air Force uniform pants in navy blue, polyester (Accession # 2015.1209146.001)
Item 2: Jacket: U.S. Air Force uniform jacket in navy blue, polyester; American Craftsman, Patriot Style Jacket by Weintraub Brothers; Senior Airman rank insignia (Accession # 2015.1209146.002)
Item 3: Shirt: Preferred Quality Shirt by Martin Manufacturing; Light blue cotton; Size: Women's Small; Labeled, Demo 15 Band; Staff Sergeant rank insignia (Accession # 2015.1209146.003)
Item 4: Tie: Uniform tie, black silk (Accession # 2015.1209146.005)
Item 5: Hat: U.S. Air Force uniform hat, navy blue wool; Morey Luxemberg Military Outfitters, Size 7 5/8 (Accession # 2015.1209146.004)
Item 6: Band Insignia Patch (Bright): 505th Air Force Band insignia patch in full color (Accession # 2015.1209146.006)
Item 7: Band Insignia Patch (Dark): 505th Air Force Band insignia patch in dark colors (Accession # 2015.1209146.007)

Box 14

Item 1: Bass Drumhead: Bass drum head, 29 inch diameter with painted lettering, "Chanute Technical Training Center, Air Force Band of the Midwest, Rantoul, Illinois" (Accession # 2015.1209146.011)