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Scott singers strike a chord at special events

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber R. Kelly-Herard
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  While the typical military member may be found carrying a cover, pens and a wallet among other necessities, an Air Mobility Command lieutenant colonel can also be found carrying a pitch pipe.

Three years ago, Lt. Col. Steve Odum, AMC Inspector General chief of the operations planning branch, started Scott's unofficial musical group, 4-Digit Chord.

Colonel Odum was previously stationed at McChord AFB, Wash., where they had a similar choir.

"We have different arrangements and ideas," he said.

4-Digit Chord's resume includes performing for a World War II flying squadron reunion, the St. Louis Rams, the Gateway Grizzlies and Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott's retirement reception. They can also be heard at retirements and promotion ceremonies.

"We especially enjoy performing for vets or someone who is retiring because it is a chance to honor them," said Colonel Odum. "It feels nice to provide this service for free."
The songs they perform include, "The Star Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," the "Armed Forces Medley," the "Air Force Hymn" and "Irish Blessing."

"If you have a special request, we can generally work that out too," said the colonel.
Although the choir started with six men, some women have also joined. The criteria is simple, singers just have to work at Scott.

"The parts are traditionally for males close in range," said Colonel Odum. "Females parts are usually limited, normally to tenor parts, but they are certainly welcome."

Thus far, 4-Digit Chord has never had to turn a request down or make someone do more than they wanted to do, he says.

On average, the group does around two performances a week.

"The last and first days of the month are the busiest," said Colonel Odum. "Sometimes we have to learn multiple parts."

The ideal number of people is three for a performance, but the minimum is two and seven is the maximum amount of people.

The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America is also located at Scott, but 4-Digit Chord is not in competition with them.

The Band of Mid-America has a critical community relations and recruiting mission. The 4-Digit Chord team say they are here to support Team Scott with a variety of other support for personal performances.

To join, there are no dues, no commitments and no auditions.

"Most people don't read music," said Colonel Odum. "I have made my own tracks with different parts."

Anyone interested in joining 4-Digit Chord can contact Colonel Odum at 229-0461. 4-Digit Chord also rehearses every Thursday at noon at Chapel 1.

Sidebar:

Where did the name come from?
The name 4-Digit Chord is actually a play on the words "4-Digit Coord." When Colonel Odum started the group, he worked at 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center as a staffer, and when new regulations or agreements came out, they would be sent out for coordination. The subject line would read "4-digit coord." There is also "3 or 2-digit coord" as something is sent up the chain, but it starts with 4. Then "coord" was changed to chord to represent music.