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Abdraev Music School Students perform at the Transit Center

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephanie Rubi
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  While the sounds of stringed instruments echoed throughout the Community Activities Center, servicemembers found their seats and waited patiently for the performance to begin; backstage, the young performers' excited whispers and nervous glances into the audience reverberated in the wings.

The Kyrgyz Republic's Mukash Abdraev National School of Music students, who ranged from age 7 to 18, performed an hour-long concert in front of more than 200 military members at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, November 27, 2012.

Cameras flashed and cell phones rose above the standing room only crowd to record the soft humming coming from Kerez Benikova, 16, as she played her Kyl-Kyak, a traditional Kyrgyz stringed instrument.

Showing their skills in one or multiple areas playing instruments ranging from woodwinds to strings, the students thoroughly impressed the Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors in attendance.

"I was blown away; I recorded every minute of it," said Staff Sgt. Casey Durham, 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman.
I would recommend experiencing this type of musical exchange to anyone who appreciates culture. It was simply an amazing to watch the students perform and see their talent first-hand, he said.

As the final note echoed in the air leading to cheers and applause breaking out, the students took the stage and bowed to a standing ovation.

"Thank you for sharing your culture and amazing musical talents," said Col. Robert Mallets, Transit Center deputy director. "Events like these allow our Airmen and Kyrgyz partners to connect through the international language of music. It is my hope to continue to foster this strong partnership in the future."

After the concert, the students toured the Transit Center, including stops at a KC-135 Stratotanker and 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal team, to gain a better understanding of the installation's mission.