News>Building international partnerships through music
Story at a Glance
• This week The U.S. Air Force Band has been honored to welcome international guest conductor Capt. Abiodoun Patrick Odjo from the Republic of Benin. • Odjo is the commander of the Music Squadron and Mobile Squadron for the National Gendarmerie in Benin. Prior to this position, he served as the commander of the Fourth Platoon, which supports security for the U.S. Ambassador's residence. • In August, The USAF Band will host an international guest conductor from Ghana, Col. Sampson Paa-Kwesi Ebonyi, who is the director of music and bands of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Photos
Capt. Abiodoun Patrick Odjo, international guest conductor, rehearses with the U.S. Air Force Band's Concert Band in preparation for their July 20, 23 and 24 performances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz)
Capt. Abiodoun Patrick Odjo, international guest conductor, rehearses with the U.S. Air Force Band's Concert Band in preparation for their July 20, 23 and 24 performances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz)
by Senior Master Sgt. Jenn Pagnard
U.S. Air Force Band
7/23/2012 - Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C -- This week The United States Air Force Band has been honored to welcome international guest conductor Capt. Abiodoun Patrick Odjo from the Republic of Benin.
Captain Odjo is the commander of the Music Squadron and Mobile Squadron for the National Gendarmerie in Benin. Prior to this position, he served as the commander of the Fourth Platoon, which supports security for the U.S. Ambassador's residence.
Captain Odjo has been a member of the National Gendarmerie since 1996. From 1999 to 2003, he attended noncommissioned officer training.
Throughout his career, he has completed cadet training, as well as many other training courses including technical intervention and Advanced Gendarmerie training.
Captain Odjo was also involved in the United Nations Peace keeping Mission in Cote d'Ivoire in 2009.
He will be conducting the Concert Band in performance July 23 at the Bowie Center for Performing Arts in Bowie, Md., and July 24 on the west steps of the Capitol Building.
The theme for these concerts is "An International Celebration." The program will feature works by Britten and Wagner, as well as selections from Benin conducted by Captain Odjo.
In the second half of the concert, the talents of the Singing Sergeants will be highlighted in an opera medley.
Col. Larry Lang, the commander and conductor of the band, spoke highly of this international collaboration. "This has been a very interesting and exciting exchange with Captain Odjo. It's also been a wonderful international relationship-building opportunity for the Air Force."
Maj. Scott Guidry, the band's director of operations, said, "It was clear throughout the meeting that Colonel Tawes knows well the value of music as an international language, and the benefits of bringing two cultures together on a small level as a model for diplomacy on a much larger scale."
In August, The United States Air Force Band will host an international guest conductor from Ghana, Col. Sampson Paa-Kwesi Ebonyi, who is the director of music and bands of the Ghana Armed Forces.
