Cranston East and West were filled with music on Feb. 13 and Feb.  14 when the district welcomed the United States Air Force Full Spectrum Band to perform at the schools. The Full Spectrum Band, which operates as its own company in the Air Force in the Washington D.C. area, received tours of the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC) at Cranston West before hosting morning and afternoon concerts, then continued onto a concert at Cranston East the next day.

“We were quite impressed with everything we saw there from their robotics department to the medical assistant program,” Air Force Technical Sergeant Jacob Iscaragu of Los Angeles said. “And seeing what the students do and preparing themselves for after high school. It kind of reminds us of what the Air Force offers. We’re looking to set up the students for future success, have them learn the skills course, all paid for and trained by the Air Force.”

ROTC lieutenants explained the Air Force’s offerings to students before each show, including helping recruits to earn college degrees without the debt that causes trouble for so many and giving interested individuals the chance to experience flying through the Aim High Flight Academy before making the choice of whether or not to enlist.

Air Force Technical Sergeant Daniel Wool, of Florida, initially shared the idea of bringing the band around to schools as a matter of goodwill.

“This actually started about two years ago at a conference,” Wool explained, “that all New England recruiters attended. A member from the band rose to speak and said ‘We’re here to support you in your Air Force recruiting efforts. We’re just here to have a good time and bring smiles to people’s faces.’ And that really stuck with me.”

“Ever since that day, since that conference we had two years ago, I was like, ‘I want to make this happen,’” Wool said.

Wool helped coordinate the effort by reaching out to schools and working to set up tour locations and possible dates, and then the plan was submitted to the band. Once approved by the band, Wool said, “the real planning all started taking place.”

The band traveled to New England to perform in Cranston East and West, Warwick’s Toll Gate High School, Griswold High School in Griswold, Connecticut, and Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut.

The Air Force has 11 bands in total. Nine are regional, and three are premier bands, two of which are currently stationed overseas. The Air Force bands help bring goodwill to both service members and the public.

The eight-piece band played popular music from artists like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles for students, faculty and staff. During the show, band members threw out t-shirts, and even hosted a dance contest that brought students and teachers on stage to show off their moves. The band also took selfies with students and videos of the band on stage with students’ phones.

Emily Johnson, Music Program Supervisor for Cranston Public Schools initially learned of the request from Cranston East Principal Thomas Barbieri and Cranston West Principal John Fontaine, who sent the information to her back in September, after which both schools notified their students and the shows were scheduled.

“We were looking to target schools with at least 500 students because we want to be impactful,” Sergeant Wool said. Both Cranston high schools were able to deliver on that requirement.

After the shows, Air Force officers were available to speak with interested students and distribute Air Force-branded items. The band ended its weeklong tour in Norwich, Connecticut, on Feb. 17, then returned to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.