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Trumpeter's first gig is band's last Independence Day concert

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Megan Tomkins
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  By 30, many people have already set their course in life and know what they want to do.

Airman 1st Class Mark Oates is not one of them.  He was 34 when he decided to join the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

"I might just be the oldest A1C in the Air Force," he said.

Oates spent seven years working on cruise liners and traveling to nearly every continent in the world before becoming a trumpet player for the band in November 2011. He will get to display his new career July 2 at the Warner Robins Independence Day Concert.

"I already had my other career," said Oates. "But I've always been interested in joining a military band. I have friends in other services in the music programs. Joining has always been in the back of my head."

When Oates decided to join, he knew he had limited time to do so and knew that there would be a lot of work to get a slot with the band.

"There were 20 trumpet players at the audition," he said. "It was really competitive to get this spot."

Oates continues to impress others in the band, especially his section leader.

"He is doing absolutely great," said Tech. Sgt. Amy Moran, trumpet section leader and NCO in charge of public affairs for the band. "He primarily plays in High Flight, a 10-piece rock/popular music group."

The group will deploy in November, and he "has embraced it and is doing a lot of coordination for the trip."

A fellow trumpeter, Airman 1st Class Will McCrary, said he has really enjoyed working with Oates.

"He's a great wingman," said McCrary. "He's easy to work with, has a great attitude and always brings his 'A' game."

Moran said she is looking forward to seeing what else Oates can do to stand out more than he already has.

"His attitude makes him stand out," said Moran. "His eagerness to play whatever we throw at him is fantastic. He can fit many roles in the band."

This year, one of the roles Oates filled was composer. He had the opportunity to write an arrangement for the concert band. His trumpeting skills will also be heard during a well-recognized piece of music during the concert in July 2.

"I am being featured as a soloist, along with two other trumpeters, in the Leroy Anderson piece 'Bugler's Holiday,'" said Oates.

The Independence Day Concert will be his first and last since the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve is being deactivated. He has mixed feelings about it.

"Having never been involved before, I don't really know what to expect," said Oates. "It is obviously a big deal, which is really highly anticipated in the community, and I am really looking forward to that.

"I am sad that I won't get the chance to participate in the event next year, but we are looking forward to finding out where we will be moving and the excitement that will go along with that."