The U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs band, "Celtic Aire" performs at a concert hall for local villagers in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010 The band, comprised of four members of the "Singing Sergeants" as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Audience members enjoy a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010 The band, comprised of four members of the "Singing Sergeants" as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Senior Master Sgt. Deborah Volker signs autographs for local villagers during a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" at the Tamga House of Culture in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage signs autographs for local villagers during a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" at the Tamga House if Culture in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Emily Lewis, vocalist and violinist, signs autographs for local villagers during a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" at the Tamga House if Culture in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Local dance students, from Tamga Village, perform for the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. The dancers put on a performance as their way to thank the band for traveling to The House of Culture to perform for the village. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Kerim Shatmanov, Public Affairs Officer for the Kumtor Company and host of Celtic Aire Band to Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan address the band and audience members after a performance Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Audience members enjoy a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010 The band, comprised of four members of the "Singing Sergeants" as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage and Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan participate in an interview by a local Kyrgyzstan news organization after their performance in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010 The band, comprised of four members of the "Singing Sergeants" as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs journalist dances with children from the audience during a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Haughton and Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs band, "Celtic Aire" perform at a concert hall for local villagers in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010 The band, comprised of four members of the ?Singing Sergeants? as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage signs autographs for local villagers during a performance by the U.S. Air Forces Central band, "Celtic Aire" at the Tamga House if Culture in Tamga Village, Kyrgyzstan Jan. 29, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/Released)
by Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
2/1/2010 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- The U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs band "Celtic Aire" rocked the Tamga House of Culture in a packed-out concert Jan. 29.
The band, comprised of four members of the "Singing Sergeants" as well as an accompanying violinist, audio engineer, and officer in charge, is touring Kyrgyzstan for eight days as part of their two-month deployment, and has had the unique opportunity to reach out to local communities.
"This is the kind of music that doesn't need to be translated," said Kerim Shatmanov, PAO of Kumtor Operating Company and the host of the overnight excursion. "We understand the song of friendship."
The bandsmen and members of the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan also enjoyed the Issyk-Kul village, where they not only were able to connect with the local population but also take part in traditional meals and listen to a sweet, spontaneous ballad from one of the chefs at the cozy dining house.
"Their hospitality was amazing, and it is just incredible that we have the opportunity to come out here and interact with the community," said Tech. Sgt. Julia Brundage, a founding member of Celtic Aire, who plays the penny whistle, Celtic flute, Bodhran (Irish drum), and sings vocals.
Although some places in the Middle East don't allow the AFCENT band to travel outside the wire, the Transit Center at Manas has established a rapport with the country of Kyrgyzstan that allows for positive interaction between cultures.
Along with Sgt. Brundage, other members of the group include Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan and Tech. Sgts. Joseph Haughton and Emily Lewis. Their audio engineer is Master Sgt. Mark Hannah, and their OIC is Maj. Keith Bland. Senior Master Sgt. Deborah Volker, violinist and member of the Air Force Strings, is deployed as the NCOIC of the group.
