Arts & Entertainment

Downers Grove Native to Participate in Presidential Inauguration

Technical Sgt. Kristin A. King, the principal clarinetist in the U.S. Air Force Concert Band, will march in the inaugural parade and play the first dance of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on Monday.

As President Barack Obama is sworn into his second term Monday, Downers Grove will have at least one familiar face in the crowd.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Kristen A. King, a 2002 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, is the principal clarinetist for the Air Force Concert Band, which is set to march in the 57th inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

The 99-piece band and 80-person Honor Guard will march along the 1.5-mile parade route, beginning at 4th Street and Pennsylvania and passing by the White House, according to military officials.

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King, 28, has been rehearsing nearly every day to prepare for the inauguration festivities. The band's appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade served as a practice run for the big event.

"(The Air Force Band) participates in every inauguration, but this is my first time so it will be extra special," King said. "I think my highlight will be just walking by the president's reviewing stand and having that once in a lifetime experience of honoring the president and serving my country."

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Following the parade, King will head to the Washington Convention Center for the inaugural ball. She and the concert band will play several musical selections, including the first dances of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

"I'm very excited about playing the ball," King said. "It's a once-in-a-career opportunity."

King began her career in the Air Force in 2011 after auditioning for a highly-coveted clarinet position in the concert band. She was inspired by her grandfather, who served in the U.S. Army Air Core.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to do what I love—play clarinet—and serve the country," she said.

King started playing clarinet when she was just 10 years old, and went on to serve as drum major in the North High marching band. She earned a bachelor of music degree in clarinet performance from Indiana University in 2006, and a master of music degree from Northwestern University in 2008.

Before joining the Air Force, King was the assistant principal and E-flat clarinetist of the South Bend Symphony in Indiana. She enjoyed solo performances with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Northwestern University Summer Orchestra. 

Since 2011, King has traveled the country with the Air Force Band, playing several concerts and military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. She has also played for several dignitaries at Andrews Air Force Base and the White House, including British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"It was an amazing, wonderful honor to play for the British prime minister and the president," King said. "As a little bonus, I also got to meet the president's dog, Bo."

When she's not playing clarinet, King serves on the band's social media team, which promotes news and performances on Facebook (facebook.com/USAFBand, Twitter (@USAFBand) and the band's website (usafband.af.mil).

Despite her busy schedule, King still makes time to travel to Downers Grove to visit her parents, Phillip and Marianne. She even played at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church over the holidays.

King said she's unsure how long she'll stay in the Air Force Band, but added that many musicians play for as long as 30 years. A Midwest girl at heart, she hopes to someday play in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

"I've always hoped and aspired to have a career playing clarinet, but the music field is so competitive right now," King said. "I'm so grateful and honored to be in this position with the Air Force Band."

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