Troops Relieve Baghdad Stress One Stage at a Time

Photo By Sgt. Jeff Ledesma | Loveland, Colo., native Spc. Mitchell Vandenburg, a bassist with the 1st Cavalry Division Band performs with the Amber Tight Rock Trio at the Camp Slayer pool in western Baghdad. Vandenburg celebrated his 21st birthday Aug. 8.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.15.2007

Story by Spc. Jeff Ledesma 

1st Cavalry Division

By Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma
Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – They have strummed out a string of 1,366 gigs since they've set foot in Baghdad's combat zone last October with their rifles in one hand and their instruments in the other, and with each morning's sunrise that number grows.

These well-traveled musicians assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Band continue to help release the stresses and frustrations of Soldiers that come naturally intertwined with war, all over Iraq.

"Being able to perform and to get out there and play for people who really need music as a form of release from all the tensions that they are experiencing in and around Baghdad, to see them to be able to relax in an environment that we help create through music is satisfying," said Spc. Mitchell Vandenburg. "It feels good to know that they've earned that release and I can help."

However, before the First Team musicians arrive on stages across the country, they have to clear several hurdles: extra rehearsals, rethinking musical pieces and loading and unloading gear.

Staff Sgt. Lance Richardson of Cincinnati said that after so many performances the same music can grow stale, so he makes an effort to find innovative ways of presenting the music by making it new again by rotating musical pieces, changing beats and many of the band members can play different genres of music.

Although music can be considered a refuge from the troublesome atmosphere of deployments, music can also be a form of celebration and, at times, some people don't feel like celebrating, said Vandenburg, a native of Loveland, Colo.

Richardson, who plays the clarinet, said that one of the hardest parts of playing in a combat zone is walking the line between enjoyable and intruding and he uses song selection and volume to help in that balancing act.

"You try to read people as you go along," Vandenburg added.

Despite the task of having to gauge each audience, both Richardson and Vandenburg agreed that they love what they do.

"A good definition of success is being able to do what you love and with people who love what you do," Vandenburg said. "Music is a language. It's a way you can speak through your instrument. I feel like I am speaking through music."

Just the other day, someone asked the 21-year-old bassist, if being in the Army and playing music everyday has made him like music any less.

After thinking about it his response was a clear, "No."

Although getting to a gig grows more and more unfavorable because of all the packing and loading, the second he breaks out his bass and falls into the mode of making music it makes all the preparation worthwhile, Vandenburg said.

Sgt. Allison Bates said that at the smaller forward operating bases the people are more surprised that the band would come out there and, at times, more receptive.

Unfortunately, many of the do not have access to as much entertainment and aren't afforded the luxuries often taken for granted like Internet and cell phones, she said.

The band members have had the opportunity to see a lot of Iraq. They have performed at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Mahmudiya, Kalsu, Iskandariyah, Loyalty, Rustimiya, Union III, Prosperity, Freedom Rest, Camp Taji, Combat Outpost Callahan and the U.S. Embassy in the International Zone.

Bates, a flute player who hails from Chattanooga, Tenn., said that one of the advantages of traveling all over Iraq is that she gets to meet new people and experience new things.

"Anytime anyone gets to be well-traveled it widens your perspective on life. You get to see what life is like here, what life is like there and from that you can piece together more of what Iraq is like as a whole," Vandenburg said.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2007
• Date Posted: 08.15.2007 15:06
• Story ID: 11829
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ