About this artist
Larry H. Lang is commander and conductor of The United States Air Force Band. This premier musical unit inspires patriotism and military service in fellow citizens, honors those who serve, and represents the U.S. Air Force and United States of America to millions worldwide. Colonel Lang is responsible for all activities of this 179-member squadron including equipping, training, and deploying Airmen musicians to perform nearly 1,500 missions each year.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Lang began his musical career as a trombonist. He attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where he earned bachelor's degrees in music education and music performance in 1980. He went on to complete a master's degree in music education at the University of New Hampshire in Durham and was appointed to the faculty there in 1982. He also served for seven years as assistant director of bands at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Lang received his commission through Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas in April 1990. His previous commands include the Air Force Band of the Pacific in Alaska, and the Air Force Heritage of America Band in Virginia. Under his leadership, the Heritage of America Band received four Air Force Organizational Excellence awards. After attending Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, Colonel Lang also served as the commander of the Air Force Band of Liberty in Massachusetts and the Air Force Academy Band in Colorado. He was selected to command The U.S. Air Force Band in March 2012.
In 2005, Lang was inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He is also a member of numerous musical associations and is active as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States and abroad.