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Video: U.S. Air Force Band - Furthering Music Education

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At a recent tour concert by The United States Air Force Band there was a great little moment after the event. The band members were packing up and most instruments were off the stage already. The harp was still there, and the harpist returned to the stage after he had changed clothes in preparation to pack up the somewhat unwieldy instrument.


An audience member's children came up on stage to look at this magnificent, huge instrument. The harpist took quite a bit of time to show the children the harp and even had them try to pluck the strings. He also let them hold their hands against the strings as he played to demonstrate the vibrations that produce the music. This was a wonderful moment of music education as a supplement to a great concert by one of the best wind bands in the world.


The U.S. military uses its bands for troop support and morale, recruiting, and for public relations. As with most professional musicians, the Air Force band folks are happy to talk to the audience when opportunities arise. I think it is especially gratifying to talk to small children who are interested in the instruments.


These concerts are a terrific public service and sometimes can bring world-class music to communities that can not afford to bring in commercial groups of similar quality. And these little audience interaction moments are priceless!


A brief clip of this sharing is below. See other videos on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/dwerden



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