Colonel George S. Howard, USAF Ret.

Colonel George S. Howard, United States Air Force retired, was primarily known for his contributions to the military band program. During the nineteen and one-half years that he was commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band and Symphony Orchestra, he raised those organizations to international prominence. He is credited with organizing the idea of using music as an international language to create better understanding between America and nations of the world. He took the USAF Band and Orchestra on ten international tours, performing major concerts in fifty countries on five continents. He founded the Singing Sergeants, the Airmen of Note, the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps, the USAF Bagpipe Band, the WAF Band, and the Strolling Strings.

In 1942, Howard was commissioned into the Army Specialist Corps, and in 1947 Howard's reputation as a conductor led to his commission as leader of the newly formed Air Force Band. As Chief of Bands and Music for the Air Force, he established the USAF Bandsman School and became its first commandant. He controlled the musical destinies of more than two thousand bandsmen and set the standards for eighty-three Air Force bands. He established a career field for commissioned officers as directors of Air Force bands. This policy and ladder of progression is in effect today.

He was born in Reamstown, Pennsylvania. Howard became a student of Patrick Conway at the Ithaca Conservatory of Music and played clarinet in Conway's professional band. He graduated from the Ithaca Conservatory, Ohio Wasleyan University, New York University and the Chicago Conservatory, earning the following degrees: AB, AM, B. Mus, and Mus. D. He taught at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and later at Penn State University. In 1985, he recieved an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Ithaca College. Howard was elected President of the American Bandmasters Association in 1956, and became an Honorary Life Member in 1984. He served as Honarary Life President from 1986 until his death in 1995.

Prior to entering the military, he was director of the Band, Orchestra and Chorus School an Penn State University. Colonel Howard has established the Citation of Musical Excellence award to encourage professional growth and excellence in military concert bands.

Colonel Howard passed away on Septermber 18, 1995.