The US military band performed enchantingly in Belarus. Video

The orchestra of the US Air Force in Europe is based on the German Ramstein airbase. Finding them in place is not easy. According to Michael Mench, last year alone, the music troupe gave several hundred concerts in Europe and Africa. With such a busy schedule, servicemen are only on leave at home.

“Personally, the last time I was in the USA was 2 years ago on a sad occasion - my wife’s father died. And I’m very busy,” — noted the head of the orchestra.

Started with hymns

Guests arrived in Brest on May 7. Weather for an outdoor concert did not have. Towards the beginning of the event, it began to rain, which intensified, then alternated with the sun. Until recently, I could not believe that the performance would take place. Nevertheless, in spite of the bad weather, the penny allocated to the public in front of the entrance to the fortress was quickly filled with people.

“The United States has always recognized the role of the peoples of the Soviet Union, including Belarus, in ensuring victory in Europe. Today we would like to express special gratitude to the Belarusian veterans of the Great Patriotic War,” — Prior to the start of the speech, Scott Roland, US Charge d'Affaires in Belarus, thanks to whom the military orchestra arrived in Belarus.

The concert opened with the anthems of the USA and Belarus. In the first half of the performance, military musicians performed marches and medleys on the themes of Belarusian folk songs. Then they played soundtracks for the famous cartoons “Despicable Me”, “Frozen” and classic works from the Broadway and Hollywood repertoires, melodies of jazz big bands.

By this time, the audience noticeably relaxed. The older audience went to the stage in front of the stage to dance, which only provoked the speakers. The women who remained in the plastic chairs clapped enthusiastically, some stamped their legs to the beat. The male audience was divided: some completely disappeared into the music, others were noticeably nervous, throwing alarmed glances at the screens of their mobile phones every now and then.

Finished Pump it

They closed the musical evening at the walls of the Brest Fortress with jazz. Here even the temporary attorney Scott Roland could not resist and, having responded to the invitation of the lady, went out onto an improvised dance floor.

“For starters,” the military orchestra performed the famous composition “Pump it” by The Black Eyed Peas.

Meanwhile, the only American serviceman who was not on stage that evening was lined up with girls for a “selfie.” Fortunately for the soldier, 20 minutes and several dozen “photo partners” later, the concert ended and the public’s attention turned to other members of the musical group.

“Mr. Charge d'Affaires has promised the US Navy Band next year. Therefore, we will lay down new traditions. There are wonderful words: “When the muses sing, the guns are silent,” — The chairman of the Brest City Executive Committee Alexander Rogachuk summed up.

After the concert, the leader of the orchestra, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mench shared his impressions of the event with journalists:

“I won't lie. I think that the performance in Brest will definitely be included in my top 5 best concerts.”

"I lived with two suitcases for two trombones"

The US Air Force Band in Europe has 47 members. Most of them are graduates of music colleges and higher educational institutions. To get into their number is a great success. After the concert, journalists managed to talk with the only Russian-speaking member of the group, Vladimir Chekan.

“I was born in Chisinau, in Moldova, into a Russian-Ukrainian family. Then he went to Moscow, graduated from school there, entered Gnesinka, then studied at the conservatory. He worked in the “Brigade S” group of Igor Sukachev until about 1992,” — Vladimir began his story.

In 24, our interviewee went to study in the USA. As acknowledged, he had no plans to stay overseas.

“I just thought I needed to change something in my life. I wanted to invest everything in knowledge. He studied his specialty - trombone - at the University of Hartford, then at the famous music school Juilliard. After that he entered Yale. Didn't even graduate. I just quit because the job came up.”

At first, the immigrant worked in Miami - performed with musicians and played the trombone. Then there were Los Angeles, San Francisco.

“When I was working, I heard a lot of reviews that there is a very good professional military band of the US Air Force. At first I hesitated, I still couldn’t make up my mind. I wanted to travel. And then I got tired of everything: I lived with two suitcases for two trombones. And I wanted to settle down somewhere.”

Vladimir saw in the newspaper an announcement about listening to a trombone position in the US Air Force orchestra and decided to try. He was taken.

At first, the trombonist worked in a military band in the United States. Performed at concerts, public events, in schools. Then he retrained and worked as a translator.

“I just thought that I needed to try myself in other professions. So, after finishing your service, you can do something else in civilian life.” Then he changed several more military specialties and returned to the orchestra, where in total he spent exactly half of his fifteen years of service.