| BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 25, 2006 — The Iraqi army’s military band located north of Baghdad in Taji is hearing a symphony of support from musicians throughout America thanks to the efforts of a U.S. Navy sailor. Chief Petty Officer Kevin Kumpf said shortly after arriving in Taji he received a personal appeal from Iraqi Base Commander Col. Alaa about specific equipment needs his military band had. Kumpf, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District’s Taji office, said he searched the web and sent an email to the president of the National Association of College Band Directors. “Within a few days I started receiving emails from bands throughout the country interested in what they could do,” he said. California Lutheran University music professor Dan Getting wrote Kumpf that their local newspaper had recently run an article on the instrument drive they were conducting for the Iraqi band. They’ve collected a flute, two clarinets, three trumpets, two trombones, a French horn, and a few percussion items. The professor said they had held a “Marches of Freedom” concert the previous weekend attended by a large audience and he received a loud applause when he told them about Kumpf’s efforts.
He said he gave some of the local youth a chance to “conduct” the college musicians, which they were excited to do. “All during this enjoyable, relaxed time I thought about the Iraqi kids you mentioned and how much they might have enjoyed being there,” continued Getting. “Maybe some day, Col. Alaa can have an outdoor concert and a few kids can try leading the band. If democracy and freedom can be established in the Middle East, then maybe, just maybe, things like this will become normal.”
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