Columbus native performs in viral Holiday Flash Mob

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

12.09.2013

Courtesy Story

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

WASHINGTON - Starting with a solo cellist and swelling to 120 musicians, The U.S. Air Force Band exhilarated National Air and Space Museum visitors last Tuesday with the first flash mob to be produced by one of the five military branches’ top bands. The five-minute performance included Columbus, Ohio native, soprano vocalist Technical Sgt. Mandi Harper and featured an original arrangement of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring/Joy to the World.” It was led by the Band’s commander and conductor, Col. Larry H. Lang. Unsuspecting museum visitors were astonished as instrumentalists streamed into the gallery from behind airplanes and space capsules, and vocalists burst into song from the museum’s second floor balcony.

The flash mob was the brain child of the Band’s producer, Chief Master Sgt. Jebodiah Eaton. “I wanted to produce the flash mob at a recognizable location in Washington, D.C. When the National Air and Space Museum agreed to partner with us, we knew it would be the perfect setting to kick off our holiday concert series,” Eaton said. Dozens of Band members with assistance from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard worked behind the scenes to pull off this amazing endeavor.

This event kicked off the Band’s “Spirit of the Season” holiday performances—29 concerts in all—at various venues throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Fueled by innovation, this “viral video,” which so far has been viewed by more than 1 million people worldwide, represents the Air Force’s continued commitment to excellence in air, space and cyberspace.

Harper’s bio and photo:
http://www.usafband.af.mil/ensembles/BandBio.asp?BandBioID=1562

• Date Taken: 12.09.2013
• Date Posted: 12.09.2013 15:59
• Story ID: 117949
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US
• Hometown: COLUMBUS, OH, US