Air Force Band Sonora fosters relationships in Kyrgyzstan

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Patrick J. McCracken
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC --  The Air Forces Central band "Sonora" played to all audience spectrums as they performed 11 concerts in their eight-day visit here, Nov. 12-20.

The 10-person band's visit to Manas included multiple performances at a wide variety of venues in the local Kyrgyz communities. The band is known as Sonora while deployed, but its members are actually part of the Air Force Band of the Pacific from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

The performers had a unique opportunity to reach every level of society within the Kyrgyz culture and in the military environment. Sonora took advantage of every one of these opportunities to make positive and lasting impressions beyond the confines of the fences of Manas Air Base.

Manas AB is one of a few bases in the AFCENT Area of Operations that offers visiting bands the opportunity to entertain off base and strengthen the friendship between Americans and the local citizens. For many Kyrgyz, the Manas AB military members and civilian contractors are the only Americans they have had the chance to meet. Sonora took their responsibility seriously and made a positive impression with their performances and interaction with the local people.

The band's first performance off base was at the terminal of the Manas International Airport, adjacent to the air base. Many of the travelers grabbed a seat and took in the show while waiting for a flight out or perhaps for their friends and loved ones to arrive. One young Kyrgyz boy grabbed a cow bell and began to play along with them while his parents watched in delight.

For the students of the American University of Central Asia, the jazz and blues sounds of Sonora were well received, reminding many of them of their year of studies in America. Many of the AUCA students often take on positions of leadership in the business sector and in the political arena following graduation.

Sonora's performance was the first time a band from the base entertained there and the students and staff were quite impressed with the show. Many of the students were surprised at how their military guests were personable and just like regular people.

"I am so impressed with these guys and very happy that they came out here to play for us," said Lira Djuraeva, AUCA career counselor.

A local band formed of AUCA students called the "Dream Team" showed up and was immediately welcomed on-stage for an impromptu jam session; a collaboration that was a huge success with the audience.

Another first was Sonora's visit to the National Music Conservatory in the capital city of Bishkek. They had a unique opportunity to perform for aspiring musicians who are talented in their own right and study in various music genres. After the band played several songs, the students returned the courtesy as four of them played a lively tune on the Komuz, a three-stringed lute associated with Kyrgyz culture, for the band. The entire session was great fun for all involved and ended with many students and bandsmen exchanging e-mail addresses, snapping photos with one another and promising to keep each other updated on their careers.

In between "gigs" in the local community, Sonora also found time to entertain U.S. servicemembers and coalition forces as well. During the morning performance for nightshift workers they invited an Army sergeant to sit in on the drums while an Air Force Airman from the audience sang the Guns-n-Roses song "Welcome to the Jungle." The performance was something those servicemen will not soon forget and will be a pleasant reminder of their service abroad for their country.

"I really enjoyed playing all the venues here at Manas but I would have to say my favorites were performing for the children at the Oktyabrskoy Village School and the Nadejsda orphanage", said Master Sgt. Ron Larson, keyboard player and operations NCO for the band. "It was a very humbling experience for me to see how little these kids have and how happy they are when we play for them."

Sonora has departed for their next location among many before they return to Alaska but they have truly made a positive and lasting impression on the people here in Kyrgyzstan.