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 Music, culture converge as Utah Band performs in Morocco By 1st Lt. Ryan Sutherland, Utah National Guard
 KENITRA, Morocco, - With the historic landing  site of U.S. and Allied forces in World War II as the backdrop, the Utah  National Guard's 23rd Army Band performed one in a series of memorable  patriotic concerts throughout Morocco July 1-7. Kenitra, known under French rule as Port Lyautey  (1932–1956), was captured by the U.S. Navy from the Vichy French in November  1942 during the American invasion of North Africa. Nearly 70 years later, beneath the shadows of the Kasbat  Mehdia, was a top-notch music ensemble featuring the ceremonial 23rd Army Band  and crowd favorite Rock Band, performing under the direction of Chief Warrant  Officer 2nd Class Denny Saunders. The contrast in cultures was evident as a group of horsemen  wearing traditional clothes, gave an honorable welcome as they charged in  unison past the Americans in attendance, a performance inspired from historical  wartime attacks of Berber and desert knights. There was nothing remotely resembling American pop  culture at this historic venue, yet the packed venue came to life as the Rock  Band played Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." The crowd gave ovation  after ovation as the show went on late into the evening. "Given the historical significance of the location,  the way we were received and treated by the local people, the national  attention the event attracted, it was then that I realized what a big deal this  trip really was," said Saunders. "The significance of the event cannot be  understated," said Lieutenant Colonel Brent Baxter, executive officer of  97th Troop Command, the unit that oversees the band. "Ultimately,  fulfilling the request of the U.S. ambassador to Morocco and performing at nine  venues in a 10-day period was an amazing feat." The Utah Guard began its relationship with Morocco in  2003 through the National Guard's State Partnership Program. Since 2004 the  Utah Guard has participated in more than 75 events with the Moroccan military  in Morocco and in Utah. But this trip, in particular, offered a glimpse of the  diversity, traditions and social customs found throughout Morocco and how the  common-shared love of music unites us all. Nestled in the sprawling streets of Rabat, the capital of  Morocco, the Band's tour officially kicked off with a night under the stars at  the U.S. Embassy. Full of the same glamour and glitz of a Hollywood red-carpet  event, guests were swept through security checkpoints, and the flashing of  cameras lit up the night as the greater diplomatic community descended upon the  Embassy's grounds. What more appropriate venue than to perform for the person  who helped make this all possible, Samuel Kaplan, U.S. ambassador to Morocco. With one prominent exception, the evening belonged to the  Band's jazz combo. In Kaplan's own words, "a band rolled in from the State  of Utah and took Morocco by storm." Guests danced well into the night, and  as the set came to a close they were asked for one, two, and then three  encores. "Your team brought the spirit and joy of America to  this far-off place in Africa," Kaplan told the Band. "[You] made me  and everyone else smile; [you] made us all proud." Prior to the performance at Sidi El Abed beach, each Band  event had intended to draw in visitors, but here on the coast a few miles  southwest of Rabat, it was clear that the 23rd Army Band were in fact the  visitors. Here was a secluded beach, hidden from the general population and  city traffic, beachgoers lay soaking up the sun, and out of nowhere emerges a  sizeable group of Americans carting loads of musical equipment. It was clear that many of the locals were caught off  guard by the American "invasion," but the ear-catching rehearsal drew  in curious beachgoers, and their wonder quickly turned to fascination as the  Rock Band's electric energy engulfed the listeners. A vivid ocean sunset complemented the Band's musical  score with the crowd silhouetted against the Atlantic backdrop. What began as a  seaside anomaly ended as an intimate and memorable experience shared by all. There is much to be said about celebrating America's  birthday in Morocco. First, the significance of the day underscores the  long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Morocco, which began in 1777  when this African nation was the first to recognize the independence of the  U.S. from Great Britain. But more importantly, this was a day shared with other  Americans abroad, where one truly felt what it is like to be an American. Baxter, who has spent the Fourth of July away from home  numerous times in the past, may have put it best: "Despite being a long  way from [Utah], I felt at home that day, celebrating with other  Americans," he said. "It was nice to be with a group of people who  were unified in purpose. For once, I felt at home in a country so far  away." The trip concluded amidst a sea of children at the  Harhoura Summer Camp in Temara. The Rock Band played with an extra zip and  attentiveness beyond its usual high level as they performed for more than 1,000  raucous youth. After all was said and done, soldiers of the 23rd were  all excellent ambassadors and performed their mission above and beyond anyone's  expectations. Maj. Karen Nuccitelli, coordinator for the Utah National  Guard's State Partnership Program, expressed that the benefits went beyond the  typical band mission. "I witnessed firsthand the numerous benefits  bringing the band overseas paid," she said. "They drew a large amount  of positive press exposure on Moroccan television helping to further the strong  relationship Utah has developed with Morocco." "But even beyond the obvious benefit of offering  morale to the U.S. service members and their families stationed in Morocco and  the goodwill performing for the Moroccan public delivered," she continued,  "the Band had the opportunity to receive training such as attending  pre-deployment briefings, immunizations and completing other Soldier-readiness  tasks." Looking back on the trip, the performance that resonated  most with Saunders was the concert in Kenitra. "The part of that event that was most touching was  at the end of the concert when all those little kids were dancing to the music  of the Rock Band," he said. "It was as if all language and cultural  barriers had come down, and we were able to come together and enjoy the  international language of music." Perhaps most important of all is the lasting impression  that the 23rd Army Band left on its audiences, a shared experience between  Moroccans and Americans that will last a lifetime.
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