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AFCENT Band wraps up tour after seven shows in Kyrgyzstan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  The Air Force Central Command Band, Sirocco, wrapped up its eight-day visit to Kyrgyzstan after landing its seventh and last performance -- a show for Kyrgyz uniformed members at the Police Academy in Bishkek Nov. 18, 2009.

The Sirocco Band, a team of Airmen stationed at a base in Southwest Asia, is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The band members took the show on the road the next day after arriving here and did their first performance at the Kyrgyz School of Music in Bishkek.

"This (music) is always what I wanted to do," said Tech. Sgt. Christin Foley, Sirocco Band vocalist "This is so fulfilling to come to a different country and share our culture and for them to share theirs with us too."

The show at the school of music also gave students at the school an opportunity to share their culture and musical experience with Sirocco when they got on stage to play the Komuz, a small guitar-shaped stringed instrument.

After the first show, praised as an interesting and successful performance by audience members, the band just kept on going.

In no time, the fame of the band members, who were in the country to entertain the citizens with American music, had spread throughout Bishkek. Even the press advertised and published their visit and concerts on the front page of a local newspaper.
Without stopping, the band continued to play around the country with six consecutive shows in as many days, and another at the Transit Center.

"Music is a universal language," said Sergeant Foley, who has been singing since she was six years old. "Even if it is one person we touched through our music, our message and friendship can grow through that person to others."

In addition, cultural assistant with the American Embassy in Bishkek, Kamila Kojokmatova, said the group showed some of the American culture when they played varied styles of music.

"This is a great opportunity to represent American art and culture to the local audience," Ms. Kojokmatova said.

While Sirocco was at Manas, their trips took the group to the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Seitek Youth Center, the palace of Sport, Tokmok House of Culture and the police academy at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"What really motivates me (to play) is the love for the music," said Tech. Sgt. Steve Wilson, a guitarist and music manager for Sirocco. "Also, the difference we make when we play for an international audience is another thing that keeps me motivated. You can really see people come to accept the American culture while you are playing; it's a great feeling."

Every show the band did had something in common -- after each show was over, Sirocco members met and talked with the audience, and they learned more about the culture.

Sometimes for this team, the music they play is secondary to the feeling they get when they talk to and interact with members of the audience after each show.

"All individuals in the audience are special in their own right, the Sirocco music manager said. "It's incredible being able to meet and talk to people and share stories."

The feeling was also mutual for at least one member of the audience. A police academy instructor shares the same opinion of Sergeant Wilson when she said she liked it when the group's vocalist, Sergeant Foley, jumped down from the stage and went into the crowd.

"It made the crowd cheer up," said Police Capt. Lena Galaktionova, public affairs officer for the police academy. "We enjoyed the whole show. Everything was super and fantastic. This is the first time an American band is visiting our school and we love their show. If possible, we would love them to come back again."

Even though Sirocco was leaving for Southwest Asia, the great impression and long-lasting friendship the team has left behind will continue to linger among the Kyrgyz citizens.

"We help to build the bridge between the Unites States and other countries. There is so much to like about this job," said Sergeant Wilson, the 17-year veteran. "I have been all over the world playing international relations concerts. I learn something new every time we go out and get to talk to the audience. The music gives you an opportunity to talk to somebody, and then you end up talking about each other's culture. And before you know it, you've made friends all over the place. The whole trip here has been very wonderful, and I hope we can do it again."