Captain Vu Nguyen is the Commander of the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast, Moffett Federal Airfield, CA. He received his commission and assumed command upon completion of schooling at the Academy of Military Science in April of 2005.
Prior to becoming Commander, Captain Nguyen was an enlisted member of the ANG Band of the West Coast. He enlisted in 2001 and served as a trumpet player, performing as a member of the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Brass Quintet. During this time he also had the opportunity to conduct the Concert Band and led performances for distinguished guests, including President George W. Bush.
Captain Nguyen holds a Master of Music degree in conducting from University of Oregon, where he was a graduate teaching fellow, and a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He is currently a graduate teaching assistant for the wind band program at the University of Washington where he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in instrumental conducting. His teachers include Timothy Salzman, Robert Ponto, and Wayne Bennett.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Captain Nguyen taught public school in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District for six years prior to pursuing graduate studies. He is a past recipient of the California Music Educators Association’s Gilbert T. Freitas Award for Achievement in Music Education and is a Distinguished Graduate from the Academy of Military Science. He has been guest conductor with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, regional honor bands in northern California, and several music camps.
Captain Nguyen’s military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the California Commendation Medal.
VietThuc [Source: The Air National Guard Band of the West Coast]
