"Exhale!" by Jim Stephenson

Several months ago, mid-pandemic, I was asked by Col. Don Schofield of The United States Air Force Band to write a piece full of hope; a concert opener or closer that might bring a rush of excitement to the audience, and also reflect on how grateful we all were to be in a room together again listening to live music. I was finally able to write this new work - EXHALE! - which is meant to represent that feeling we all know as a cathartic response to a tense moment having passed. I was also inspired by the contrails - or exhalations - that are emitted from AF jets as they propel themselves upward; another visual symbol of that kind of optimism and hope. While it can’t be performed right away, I certainly look forward to that time when it can be, and when we can all breathe a little easier. James M. Stephenson; November 2020 #TheUnitedStatesAirForceBand | #ConcertBand | #NewMusic Credits: Commander & Conductor, Executive Producer Colonel Don Schofield Producer Mr. Dennis Fisher Associate Producer Captain Christina Muncey Recording Engineers Technical Sgt. Jim Woolf Technical Sgt. Pedro Rodríguez-Ramírez Editing Engineer Technical Sgt. Jim Woolf Mixing Engineer Technical Sgt. Pedro Rodríguez-Ramirez Mastering Engineer Mr. Bruce Leek Lighting Justin Lang Design Videographers Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Hoffmann Senior Master Sgt. Chad Randolph Senior Master Sgt. Emily Wellington Master Sgt. Kevin Cerovich Master Sgt. Tim Hilgert Master Sgt. Brooke Emery Master Sgt. Mike Brest Technical Sgt. Carolyn Braus Technical Sgt. Joey Velez Technical Sgt. Stacey Holliday Mr. George Bolden - Jib Operator Video Editor Technical Sgt. Victor Holmes Chief of Production - Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Hoffmann Chief of Marketing and Outreach - Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Burns Chief of Concert Band - Chief Master Sgt. Stacy Newbrough Ascione Chief of Ceremonial Brass - Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Valadie Chief of Air Force Strings - Chief Master Sgt. Henry Tyszler Chief of Airmen of Note - Chief Master Sgt. Brian MacDonald Section Chief of Audio/Video Production - Senior Master Sgt. Emily Wellington Section Chief of Brand Management - Master Sgt. Brooke Emery Music Librarian - Master Sgt. Matt Dannan Program Notes - Master Sgt. Laura Shoun