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Air Force Band, Falcon 'rocks n wows' Kyrgyz audience

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Cheers that filled the air were the only words that could describe the performances of an Air Force Band during the team's tribute shows in villages and schools in Kyrgyzstan Sept. 25 - 28.

The Air Force Band, called Falcon, made a stop at the Transit Center at Manas on their way from Afghanistan, as part of their tour in the Air Force Central Command Area of responsibility.

"The band has been part of the war effort since this country began, and even George Washington recognized the value of music and often had musicians play for troops to improve their morale," said Lt. Col. Larry Lang. AFCENT Falcon Band director. "That is what we are doing here --improving the morale of troops. Today, we are also improving international relationships in the communities that we need to live and work in, and I think, that is certainly as valuable a troops' morale. We have to live and work here and since music makes friends; we want to be friends and not enemies. Music is a universal language and everyone can appreciate it."

The team, deployed to a base in Southwest Asia from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., performed its first show outside Manas in the city of Karabalta, Sept. 25.

All eyes were on the musicians during their grand entry into the city of Karabalta. According to resident villagers, it was the first time in history of the town that any military team of musicians would visit them with such an unprecedented show.

At Karabalta, not knowing what to expect, the team set up the stage and started warming up for the show by playing tunes and soft melodies, and in no time, the Karabalta Cultural Center, which at first seemed difficult to fill, was packed with an audience of different age groups who came to enjoy the American-style rock and roll.

"At Karabalta, it was so nice to see a mixture of ages in the audience," said Colonel Lang. "There were lots of teenagers and young people present. That was really nice to see because we don't always get that."

During Falcon's five-day stay at Manas, the second day took them to the city of Bishkek for the Student Rock Festival. Unfavorable weather conditions and battering rain could not stop the musical group from putting on a show that made the crowd at the American University clamor for more songs.

After the team's arrival at the Transit Center from the Bishkek concert, they unloaded their equipment from the vehicle into Pete's Place, a recreation center here, where they would be performing for servicemembers the next day.

"It's always fun to play for our troops," said Colonel Lang, the almost 20-year Air Force band veteran. "We are helping make a difference, bringing a little touch of home to them and reminding them of America, and bringing some joy into their lives through music."

During the show at the Transit Center, which involved more interactions with the audience, Falcon gave the 2009 Manas Idol winner, Staff Sgt. Erica Still, an opportunity to showcase her talent again by singing a rendition of "Independence Day" while the band members backed her up with live accompaniment.

Some other members got up close to the stage and danced to the tunes and mesmerizing melodies of the music and drum beats, played by Tech. Sgt. James Mangette, Falcon Band drummer.

Even after the energetic, intensive late night show at Manas, the team rolled out early the next day for their final performances scheduled for two different audiences in Bishkek. They were to perform at the Bishkek Boarding School for the blind and visually impaired in the morning, and in the evening, for college students at the Kyrgyz National University.

They were welcomed by about 125 children at the visually impaired school. During the show, Falcon passed out some instruments such as claves and tambourines to the children to rattle and shake while the team played. After the musical performance, they brought the children up to play the guitars, drums, and brass instruments.

Principal Urseitora Kalima, who has been with the school for 35 years, said the children love American music because it is very good.

"Our kids, being blind, feel music more deeply than regular children," she said. "It is very important for us to cooperate with the Transit Center and for the children to have American service (members) here more often."

"I have been struck by the warmth of the audience and the generosity of their spirits, said Colonel Lang. "Especially today with the kids, they had so much fun. It's really nice to be able to bring a little bit of joy to their lives today."

The fame of the Americans, who were in the country to give the Kyrgyz free entertainment and promote good will, had spread across the cities and other towns. Some Kyrgyz students even travelled from a neighboring college to watch the AFCENT Band perform at the Kyrgyz National University.

The auditorium for the evening's show was packed wall to wall with members of the audience overflowing into the hallway.

The first note the band played set the hall and building rocking with almost every Kyrgyz student singing the lyrics along with Staff Sgt. Clinton Whitney, Falcon Band vocalist and guitarist.

According to some of the students, it was the best show they have ever attended.

"The Falcon music was so magical that we just couldn't get enough of it; we wanted them to keep going on," said Ramis Tama, a Kyrgyz National University student who had an opportunity to come on-stage to vocalize the song "You are Beautiful" with Sergeant Whitney. "It's a great joy to be here."

As the music ended and Falcon team members were packing up their stage equipment and instruments, some Kyrgyz students gathered for handshakes, photographs and to get autographs with the band members.

"All of us here in the band really try to make a difference every day," said Colonel Lang. "We hope our talent that God has given us and the Air Force has allowed us to use is bringing a little bit of joy to people and making a difference in their lives."

"I wouldn't give this job up for anything," he said. "It's been a great 19 and half years (military service time), and it's been very rewarding."