Airman finds consistency and stability in the Air Force

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Jim Remington | Tech. Sgt. Ricky Parrell, a baritone saxophonist with the Concert Band, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., rehearses for a number in which he will be featured as a soloist. Originally from Arlington, Va., his Air Force career began in 2012.  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

09.18.2014

Story by Nicole Woods 

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

WASHINGTON - Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ricky Parrell, from Fairfax, Virginia, has been playing the saxophone for the premier Air Force band since 2012.

Parrell said this career choice came from a desire to be a part of an organization with consistency and stability. “I wanted to be a part of something professional.”

Prior to joining the Air Force, Parrell worked diligently to receive a bachelor's degree in music education, at George Mason University, followed by getting his master's degree in saxophone performance and jazz studies, from the University of North Texas.

After graduation, Parrell was faced with a timeless question of what career path to choose. “Thankfully,” a saxophone opening with the Air Force band was being advertised nationally at the time, and Parrell went for it.

With more than 80 applicants in the running for the same saxophone opening, Parrell was subjected to three grueling rounds of blind auditions, before he would become the final selection.

Since then, Parrell has been able to perform in four national tours from California to overseas. The Air Force band typically performs in two large tours a year, which doesn’t include the many performances they do throughout the year, domestically.

“The Air Force has given me the ability to have a family life and a home, while still being able to be the professional musician I always wanted to be.”

Parrell explains that if he had decided to go in a different route, outside of the military, he knows he would never get to be home and “I definitely would not have the same benefits that I get with the Air Force.”

Parrell couldn’t be happier with the life that the Air Force has provided him and his wife, who are expecting their first child together later this year.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2014
• Date Posted: 09.26.2014 16:10
• Story ID: 143432
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US
• Hometown: FAIRFAX, VA, US