U.S. military musicians, supporting a U.S. State Department program, performed for more than 200 students, teachers, staff and parents at the Basa Secondary School in Buchanan on March 22, 2008.



This marked the first time a band has played in the city since 1989. Buchanan is a port city south of Liberia's capital, Monrovia.



"This music is something the children have never heard before, and this performance will leave a lasting impression on them," said Julia Duncan "Pinky" Cassell, Basa Secondary School Superintendent. "The music is universal and represents reconciliation and peace to our country."



Basa Secondary School, in conjunction with the State Department, has established an American Corner library program to bring books, magazines, computers, music, movies and supplies to the school and surrounding community, as well as other schools around the nation.



"This program originally started in Monrovia in July of 2007, and has now reached eight of the 15 counties in Liberia," said Meg Riggs, the State Department's American Library program administrator. "The program exposes the children to a variety of music and culture that they would not normally have the opportunity to experience anywhere else."



The performance, the third set in a series of cultural events scheduled with the American Library Corner, provided the audience an opportunity to hear a variety of music from Jazz, to Polka, to traditional marching music.



The Basa Secondary School performance was the first in a series of scheduled events for the Navy's Africa Partnership Station Brass Quintet. APS Brass Quintet was scheduled for several performances across Liberia. Band members also planned to conduct a seminar for Liberian military music professionals on ceremonial music, marching, and instrument mechanics.



"Music is a universal, mutual experience that transcends words and cultures," said Petty Officer 1st Class Dan Smith, APS band member, originally from Beechwoods, Pennsylvania. "We hope to spark an interest in these children so that they will hopefully share in the love of music."



The Africa Partnership Station Band, a detachment of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band-Africa, stationed in Naples, Italy, has played numerous events across West and Central Africa.