Re: Terrorism and Music

[Marvin <physchem...>]

Good advice.  I would add only one thing.  TV and radio interviewers often 
count on those interviewed to talk as long as the microphone is held in front 
of their face.  That is when it is easy to say something you'll regret.  Once 
you have said what you wanted to say, or have decided to say nothing, just be 
silent.  Dead air time is the interviewer's problem, not yours.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tski1128 (at) aol(dot)com 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 2:54 PM
  Subject: Terrorism and Music


       I feel that that this is a time to relate a story of events that 
occurred a few years back. As many of the listmembers know, I recently retired 
as clarinet soloist from the United States Army Field Band. The "Field Band" is 
a 65 member concert band with a 30 voice Chorus. Our mission was to travel the 
USA and the world playing music and instilling "The Spirit of America" to 
anyone that would listen. About 10-12 years ago, India was having a 
"nonaligned" nations conference. The "Field Band" was sent to Deli to 
participate, to play music for a huge business conference. 
        About three weeks before we were to leave I received a call from the 
Baltimore Sun,( the one and only news paper in Baltimore), I was asked "Does 
the Army Field Band ever consider that they would be considered a High profile 
terrorist target?"  My reply was "Terrorism is something the band is always 
concerned with any time we perform outside the United states" The next question 
was "Can you tell me what precautions the Band takes?'" My reply was "no that 
isn't our procedure to discuss these matters with the general public." Needless 
to say, I was called into the pentagon the next day. I was in trouble for even 
talking to the press about anything.   
        The only reason I mention the story now is I think it is important for 
anyone playing is playing Klezmer, Jewish music in highly charged public 
venues, is to consider the possibility that musicians can be highly visible 
targets. I don't think we should change the music we play, I don't think we 
should cancel shows, I don't think we should avoid playing "mixed" music arts 
festivals. 
        Some of us do quite a bit of traveling I think we should leave 
ourselves plenty of time to get through security. One of the things I was told 
consistently in the army was" If something doesn't feel right check it out." 
Know your equipment cases, only let people you personally know pack your stuff 
for you. Any time you're out playing Jewish music, there is a chance that some 
reporter will shove a Mic in your face and ask questions that no performer 
should have to answer. PRACTICE a non confrontation response. Make sure the sub 
in your band knows what to say if asked. As musicians, we do many things that 
will help the healing that needs to go on now. As opinionated artists, it's 
easy to say things that will negate the 2hrs of music we just performed.     
         I read David's story, I believe what he says, the reaction to what we 
do is going to be more intense than it was last week. In closing I remember the 
show "Hill Street Blues", the old desk sarge would send his squads out, always 
saying "Hey, and lets be careful out there" 

  Tom Puwalski, Clarinetist with Lox&Vodka, author of The Clarinetists Guide to 
Learning Klezmer, Former Principal Clarinetist, United States Army Field Band