Air Force Strolling Strings

Located just off Columbia Pike at One Air Force Memorial Drive, the awe-inspiring Air Force Memorial provides a wonderful setting for the band's summer concerts, as well as refreshing summer breezes and spectacular nighttime views of the Pentagon and the District's monument core. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or short folding chair, as bleacher seating is limited. There's plenty of free on-site parking; the nearest metro stop is Pentagon City.

The Air Force Strings is one of the most diverse and flexible units of The United States Air Force Band. This wide-ranging flexibility allows the ensemble to musically respond to the requirements of almost any occasion and provide an enjoyable experience for everyone. A key element of its mission is to entertain audiences at high-level protocol events in a formation known as the Strolling Strings. On other occasions it performs as The United States Air Force String Orchestra, presenting the standard works of the classical repertoire for strings. The ensemble often joins forces with members of The United States Air Force Concert Band, Singing Sergeants and Airmen of Note, to form The United States Air Force Chamber, Symphony and Jazz Orchestras. Additionally, members of The Air Force Strings appear regularly as soloists, and in duo, trio and string quartet ensembles, to present chamber concert performances, and provide quality entertainment and ambient music for official protocol functions.

Technical Sergeant Frank J. Busso Jr. is the accordionist with the United States Air Force Strings, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., his Air Force career began in 2005. As a competitive accordionist, Sergeant Busso received numerous regional titles from the Accordion Teachers Association of New Jersey, including the organization's virtuoso championship in 1995. He also earned multiple national titles from the American Accordionists' Association in classical, popular, and ethnic competitions. Since 2001, Sergeant Busso has performed in concert as a member of The Busso Trio at numerous summer festivals hosted by the American Accordionists' Association and the Accordionists & Teachers Guild.