Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Chanelcherie DeMello | Ten students from the Basrah University arts and music academy performed some of their...... read more read more
Subscribe
BASRAH, Iraq – Soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division Band at Contingency Operating Base Basra dedicated a day of instrument familiarization and music rehearsals to 10 students of the Basrah University arts and music academy.
From the French horn to the Bass guitar, the band kicked-off the day with a musical workshop on different instruments and genres of music.
“We thought we could help them with resources and also teach them how to play,” said Austin, Texas, native Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Lightsey, band commander.
“We showed them a little bit about every ensemble that we have; the different styles that we perform and classes on each individual instrument,” said Spc. Carlos Meda a native of Austin, Texas, and a Tuba player with the band.
The band members played music ranging from a spiritual hymn and a Dixieland style of “Amazing Grace” to a meringue march from the Dominican Republic.
To give back to their teachers [the band] who volunteered their time, the students played some of their finest Arab melodies as well as an innovative excerpt from Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9”.
“I think that they played very well,” Lightsey said. “Their style is very different and, modified to their style, it sounded great and they had fun doing it.”
A wealth of musical knowledge was exchanged as Soldiers and students shared comments, questions, ideas and personal experiences related to music.
“Everyone loves music and can understand a feeling through music,” said Meda. “It is an expressive way for anyone.”
“The interaction with music, you can do a lot with it,” Lightsey said. “We are looking to continue this, do a lecture series and play a little bit and explain some historical pieces, as well as get them to use computer programs and get them up to par with unfamiliar equipment.”
The reemergence of music education in Iraq looks promising, he added, and the introduction of American music would add to the Iraqi students’ repertoire and serve as a bridge between their cultures.
“It shows that we are here for peace,” said Meda. “We are here to start a good relationship and music helps with that aspect.”
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2011 06:39 |
| Story ID: | 64712 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beethoven in Basra, by SFC Chanelcherie DeMello, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT