Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hansen | Maestro Mahmud al-Qa'id, leader of the Iraqi army's official presidential band,...... read more read more
BAGHDAD – Several months in the making, the partnership between the 1st Armored Division band and their Iraqi counterparts hit a new high, May 1, when the Iraqi army musicians paid a visit to Camp Liberty.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Bettencourt and his 1st Armd. Div. band Soldiers had visited the Iraqi musicians on three previous occasions, the last involving a performance by the Iraqis and an exchange of sheet music. This time, the 1st Armd. Div. band invited their partners to Camp Liberty to show how the American musicians operate.
"This was a fantastic day," said Bettencourt. "It's absolutely wonderful to be able to do this."
The small group of Iraqi performers had never been to Victory Base Complex and Capt. Hatim Abd al-Rahim, commander of the Iraqi Army's official presidential band, said his men were nervous about visiting the large base, but also very excited.
"We consider this trip like going to the States," said Hatim. "It's like meeting somewhere that's not Baghdad."
The division band performed a variety of musical styles for their guests with selections ranging from standard marches to popular movie themes. They also played the sheet music they received from the Iraqis.
Bettencourt, the band commander, said the music was different in style and volume from traditional American band music. However, his Soldiers adapted and overcame with a little help from their local comrades.
"It certainly was different, but in the end a note is a note," Bettencourt explained.
Throughout the history of the official presidential band (formerly called the Prime Minister's Ceremonial Band), their musical repertoire had been limited to traditional Iraqi ballads and military themes. During Saddam Hussein's regime, most citizens were not allowed to listen to Western music styles, and even famous classical pieces were outlawed for band performances.
To counter this lack of variety, Bettencourt made sure some Western styles were brought to the attention of his Iraqi partner to give him some ideas for future concerts. Of all the pieces played, Hatim said they enjoyed salsa music the most, and members of the Iraqi band even joined in on a couple of salsa songs toward the end of the meeting.
"We had talked about this for a long time," said Bettencourt, "So it was good to actually do it."
Bettencourt said the two groups are still working on the logistics of performing a large joint concert, but his current focus is getting the presidential band better equipped to perform for a crowd.
Their instruments, he explained, are upwards of 25-years-old and are in need of much repair. Because the Iraqi army leadership is more focused on equipping their security and combat troops, the band plays second fiddle.
Both Bettencourt and Hatim are confident this will change as the leadership on both sides sees the vast improvements and determination of the Iraqi band. Hatim feels a joint concert would be the ultimate showing of both skill and partnership, especially if high-ranking officials attended.
"It think it will happen," Hatim said. "Hopefully it will be soon. We are almost ready."
Hatim and Iraqi maestro Mahmud al-Qa'id thanked their American friends for the invitation, which they had to conduct on their only day off. Mahmud said it didn't matter to them, as it was the highlight of their partnership.
"We do the same thing every day," Hatim explained. "Today, our routine was broken. We got to do something different for a change, and nothing could have been as good as this."
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.10.2010 07:08 |
| Story ID: | 49389 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 48 |
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