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Band members connect with Bishkek music students

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Greg Wade
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AB, KYRGYZSTAN --  The U. S. Air Forces Central Band "Hot Brass" performed on stage for a group who possibly appreciates the importance of music as much as they do -- students of The Bishkek College of Music.

An enthusiastic crowd of approximately 200 students, faculty and local TV and print media were treated to some smooth sounds of rock and roll, disco, country, Latin and classical music performed by the traveling Air Force band, which is deployed to the AFCENT area of responsibility from Scott AFB, Ill. The pop group performed songs from top artists in the United States like Stevie Wonder, Santana, Asleep at the Wheel and -- perhaps the most well-known to the students -- The Beatles. As lead vocalist, Staff Sgt. Jamie Gilley asked the packed auditorium if they knew each of the artists, the thunderous applause served as an emphatic yes.

"These students are studying our music, past and present. I did not do that until later in life, but they are doing it early," said Sergeant Gilley.

The Bishkek College of Music Deputy Principal for Education, Mr. Sergey Abdulkhairov was not at all surprised at how much knowledge his students had of western music pointing out that the school's curriculum includes modern American music. Instead, his surprise was the range of the music performed.

"I was so impressed with the wide selection of music performed by the band, said Mr. Abdulkhairov. "It is important to know what each of the instruments is capable of. I told my students prior to the performance to pay attention to that...and the band showed them what they [the instruments] were capable of doing."

Gilley and the band's operations manager, Master Sgt. Dean Smith, both said the band talked about the school visit the night before and every band member wanted to put on a great performance for the students. The songs were specially selected and arranged for The Bishkek College of Music students.

"These students know what it takes to perform, write, and fine tune a show," said Sergeant Smith. "We had a big connection with them, and we wanted to do something special."

Mr. Abdulkhairov acknowledged that although his students study modern music in class, they had not heard such a wonderful live performance in a long time. He was very appreciative that the Air Force band would take the time out of their schedules and perform for the students in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The nine-member band sang and played for more than 45 minutes, but after playing the final note of the last song, the band received the ultimate praise a musician can receive--a request for just one more song. After finishing out their musical set, the band members were invited to visit the college's American Music Center. The center, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, was opened in December 2007. It gives the students a rare opportunity to study and learn about traditional American music and artists, some of whom they may not have had the opportunity of learning about.

The music hall and the center were equally impressive for the band. After traveling all over the world, Sergeant Gilley said The Bishkek College of Music was probably one of the best facilities they have had the pleasure to perform at.

The Air Force Band "Hot Brass" performed 17 shows for Manas Air Base Airmen and local schools and villages over eight days while visiting the Kyrgyz Republic.