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AFCENT band helps local music class get new direction

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Music is a common language for everyone in the world, so when a local school asked for some help - the Air Force Central Command Band was more than willing to assist.

The school's music teacher asked 1st Lt. Rafael Toro Quinones, AFCENT Band officer in charge, to teach two music classes, one for its jazz band and another for its classical music class.

"The (AFCENT) band has had a long-standing relationship with the school," Toro Quinones said. "So I thought it was a great opportunity to build on that relationship and provide an outreach mission for the students and a different perspective."

The lieutenant showed the jazz band students how to approach different styles of music, and the classical group how to take a new piece of music they had never seen before and bring it all together.

"I know the students were absolutely thrilled to have the interaction," Toro Quinones said. "Their music instructor let me know their 'jazz band was pumped after your performance with them.'"

Not only did the students enjoy the outreach, but the AFCENT Band director did as well.

"Teaching is something I really enjoy," Toro Quinones said. "When I was a student, I had music professionals do for me what I hope I did for them. I thought it was just awesome."

While the school has American students, they also have students from more than 70 different nations. This was another opportunity for Toro Quinones to show another side of the United States.

"One thing everyone has in common is music," Toro Quinones said. "With my band at the time currently deployed, this was an opportunity to be a force multiplier for us to reach out and show what the Air Force is about.

"Ultimately I wish I could do this every day, not only as a musician, but as an Airman showing the professionalism the Air Force brings."