The U.S. Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) Band arrived in Ashgabat on June 28 as part of a five-day visit to Turkmenistan. During their visit, AFCENT musicians taught a master class at the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory, gave a short performance for children with disabilities, and drew a crowd of over 1,000 at a public performance in the Berkarar Mall. Supported by the U.S. Embassy and the Ministries of Defense and Culture, AFCENT also participated in a joint musical program with the Ministry of Defense’s orchestra. AFCENT’s visit will culminate in a performance at an upcoming U.S. Embassy reception in honor of Independence Day.
Based near Doha, the AFCENT Band travels throughout Central and Southwest Asia performing at community concerts, school assemblies, military events and diplomatic functions hosted by U.S. embassies and their ambassadors. Composed of world-class musicians trained at the finest American and international music schools, the AFCENT Band is dedicated to entertaining diverse audiences and demonstrating their skill in a wide range of music – pop, rock, R&B, country and jazz.
The United States uses “music diplomacy” to advance peace and mutual understanding, to share American culture with audiences abroad, and to create connections with people worldwide. Collaborations such as these play an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges. Through this collaboration, audiences in both Turkmenistan and the United States have enjoyed a wide variety of music, theatre, visual and other arts, and U.S. and Turkmen artists have enriched their craft through mutual exchange.
