Captain Michael J. Willen
Commander, USAF Heartland of America Band
Captain Michael James Willen is the Commander of the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. As the Commander, he oversees the operation and administration of the 45-member squadron and is responsible for equipping, training and deploying the unit in ten different musical configurations. He oversees more than 450 annual musical presentations and multimedia productions by squadron ensembles, and conducts the Concert Band. Offered throughout an eight-state, 680,000 square-mile region, these presentations serve to cultivate positive relationships between the public, Air Combat Command and the U.S. Air Force.
A native of Marion, Indiana, Captain Willen was raised in Yuma, Arizona. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Arizona in 1991. During that same year, he was selected by audition for the graduate program in Wind Conducting at Northwestern University. After completing his Master of Music degree at Northwestern in 1992, Captain Willen became the Director of Band Organizations at Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Arizona. In 1999, Captain Willen earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
During his doctoral studies, he appeared as a conductor with both the Conservatory Orchestra and the Conservatory Wind Ensemble. Captain Willen became the conductor of the Kansas City Youth Wind Ensemble during the ensemble's first year of partnership with the Conservatory in 1997. The following year, he was asked to conduct Kansas City's professional contemporary music ensemble, NewEar. He became NewEar's principal conductor in 1999 and led many critically acclaimed performances including the world premiere of James Mobberley's A Hint of Mischief which featured guest artist Yehuda Hanani, cello. An accomplished bassoonist, Captain Willen has performed with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Philharmonia Orchestra, the Civic Opera Theatre of Kansas City, the Opera Theater of the Rockies, the Pueblo Choral Society and was second bassoonist with the St. Joseph Symphony.
Prior to joining Air Force, Captain Willen was the Director of Bands at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After earning his commission from Officer Training School in March 2001, he was assigned to the USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California. During his two year tour as the band's Deputy Commander, Captain Willen performed for President George W. Bush and 13,000 Team Travis members during a post 9/11 event, inaugurated the Pacific Coast Winds chamber music ensemble as the Officer in Charge, coordinated music production for the band's appearance on "The Price is Right" salute to the Air Force, and was the Officer in Charge of preparing the USAF Total Force Band for its appearance in the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade seen by more than 365 million people worldwide. In 2003, The USAF Academy Band selected Captain Willen to serve as Deputy Commander where he coordinated the transfer of the band from AF Space Command to the Academy. Additionally, he served as Officer in Charge of the Academy Band's appearance in the 2004 Tournament of Roses Parade. From 2005-2007, Captain Willen was the Squadron Section Commander for The USAF Band in Washington, DC where he served as the commander's right hand of the 237-member premier unit, specifically charged with overseeing personnel, equipment, budget, recording and broadcast operations.