News>PACAF band visits Okinawa, carols for community
Photos
The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia from Yokota Air Base, Japan played Christmas carols for an American and Okinawan audience at “American Village” in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2012. The band played carols on and off base in hopes of bringing some holiday cheer to the island and bringing people together through music. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic)
Staff Sgt. Michael Schmaus, a bass player with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, performs Christmas carols for residents at the Hijagawa-no-sato elderly home in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2012. The residents smiled, clapped and sang along to the carols throughout the band’s performance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic)
Master Sgt. Vincent Dublino, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia NCO in charge, plays the keyboard during a performance at the Okinawa Pediatric Development Center in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2012. The band also performed Christmas carols for residents of an elderly home and service members and their families on Kadena Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic)
Tech. Sgt. Amber Grimes, a vocalist with the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, sings Christmas carols as the band plays along during a performance at the Okinawa Pediatric Development Center in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 14, 2012. The children were excited to hear the music and even played along with their own instruments during the performance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic)
by Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic
18th Wing Public Affairs
12/19/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia from Yokota Air Base, Japan, visited Okinawa and performed Christmas carols for members of Kadena Air Base and the local community, Dec. 13-14.
The five-Airman ensemble, known as Pacific Clave, is just one part of the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia that specializes in "world music." Their sound varies between popular genres including salsa, jazz, Latin jazz, pop, ballads, ethnic and more.
Pacific Clave brought the sounds of Christmas to hundreds of people of all ages. They visited two elementary schools, the military personnel section and the medical clinic on Kadena Air Base. Off base, they performed for an elderly home, a pediatric development center and a popular entertainment and shopping complex in the local community known as American Village.
Air Force bands provide the power of music to bridge language, cultural, societal and socio-economic differences and inspire immediate, positive and long-lasting impressions of the U.S. Air Force and the United States in the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
