Gene Roddenberry’s "Wagon Train to the Stars", now commonly known as “Star Trek: The Original Series,” premiered on this day in 1966.
To commemorate this anniversary, The United States Air Force Band’s Air Force Strings perform an arrangement of theme songs from both the original and sequel series "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
The TV show followed the voyages of the Starship Enterprise and its crew, Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and Dr. “Bones” McCoy, as they explored strange new worlds, sought out new lifeforms and civilizations, and boldly went where no one had gone before.
The show was the first of its kind in many ways, including featuring an ethnically diverse cast of characters and addressing social and political commentary of the time through the lens of science fiction. It went on to become a cult sensation that spawned 10 spin-off television series, 13 motion pictures, and inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, and aviation, furthering our understanding of the great beyond above our planet.
The original Star Trek theme was composed by Alexander Courage and is instantly recognizable to people of all ages. According to Courage, the theme was inspired by a song by Richard Whiting called “Beyond the Blue Horizon”. Jerry Goldsmith’s theme for Star Trek: The Motion Picture was adapted for Star Trek: The Next Generation, and became equally synonymous with the adventures of Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of Starfleet’s flagship Enterprise. We hope that you enjoy and that you will “live long, and prosper.”
Star Trek
The Original Series theme - Alexander Courage
The Next Generation theme - Alexander Courage, Jerry Goldsmith
arranger, Master Sgt. Luke Wedge
Air Force Strings from The U.S. Air Force Band
Credits
Colonel Don Schofield - Executive Producer
Senior Master Sgt. Emily Wellington - Producer
Senior Master Sgt. Chad Randolph - Production Manager
Master Sgt. Tim Hilgert - Editor
Control Video
Justin Lang Design - Lighting
Technical Sgt. Jim Woolf - Recording/Mixing Engineer
Technical Sgt. Pedro Rodríguez-Ramírez - Recording/Monitor Engineer
Senior Master Sgt. Jim DeVaughn - Assistant Recording Engineer
Master Sgt. Josh Voyles - Monitor Engineer
Master Sgt. (ret.) Mark Hannah - RF Engineer