In a festive atmosphere, the public enjoyed a unique and colorful concert performed with brio by the Royal Air Force Band and the 23rd Utah State National Guard Band.
The show featured the national anthems of the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States, as well as musical highlights from both countries.
In a statement to MAP, Major Youssef Bennani, head of the Royal Air Force orchestras, said that the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the partnership with the State of Utah had resulted in a magnificent musical melting pot, noting that the U.S. musicians had been able to easily interpret Moroccan music, thanks to the rhythmic and melodic rapprochement between the two countries.
He added that “the richness of our musical heritage in composed rhythms enabled our orchestras to interpret jazz music with ease, demonstrating our openness to all world music.”
“It’s for the first time that Amazigh music has been arranged exclusively by Royal Air Force musicians to be performed by two Moroccan and American military orchestras,” he stressed.
For his part, Spencer Frohm, commander of the 23rd Utah National Guard Band, said he was delighted to host this concert with his colleagues in Agadir, expressing his thanks to the FAR for their contribution to the success of the event.
Part of the celebration of the “African Lion 2023” military exercise being held in accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the FAR, this show aims to further strengthen cultural exchanges between Morocco and the United States.
Made up of talented soldier-musicians, the 23rd Utah National Guard Band includes members of the US armed forces, specially selected for their improvisational and jazz-arranging skills.
This group of highly skilled soldier-musicians performs music from a wide range of jazz styles.
The 23rd Utah State National Guard Band regularly performs for senior U.S. military officials and their diplomatic guests, as well as Heads of State around the world.
“African Lion” is a combined joint exercise organized each year by the FAR and the US Armed Forces.
The exercise, which will run until June 16 in seven Moroccan regions – Agadir, Tan-Tan, Mehbes, Tiznit, Kénitra, Benguerir and Tifnit – is an annual event that helps consolidate Moroccan-U.S. military cooperation, as well as strengthening exchanges between the armed forces of different countries with a view to promoting security and stability in the region.
