Food for thought

The Band of the Pacific-Asia plays live music to a crowd during the Sexual Assault Awareness Summer Series Concerts Sept. 26, 2015, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The band was one of five that played at the concert to increase awareness regarding sexual assault and promote an assault-free community. (Courtesy photo)

Food for thought

Members of the Yokota community prepare plates of food during the Sexual Assault Awareness Summer Series Concerts Sept. 26, 2015, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The series concerts were a collection of concerts held throughout the summer to increase awareness regarding sexual assault and promote an assault-free community. (Courtesy photo)

Food for thought

Community members, Japanese citizens, and members of the Japan Air-Self Defense Force listen to live performances during the Sexual Assault Awareness Summer Series Concerts Sept. 26, 2015, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The series concerts were a collection of concerts held throughout the summer to increase awareness regarding sexual assault and promote an assault-free community. (Courtesy photo)

Yokota spreads SAPR message by sharing music

Published Oct. 1, 2015
By 374th Airlift Wing
Public Affairs

Yokota Air Base, Japan -- The Summer Series Concerts played its final show at the Sakura Shell Sept. 26 at Yokota Air Base, increasing the awareness of sexual assaults in the military and promoting an assault-free standard in military communities.

The event was hosted by the sexual assault response coordinator team, who used the concert to bring awareness about sexual assault through music.

Tereasa Brown, 374th Airlift Wing SARC, said the event's goal was to allow the Yokota community an opportunity to experience live entertainment, free food and fun in an alcohol-free environment.

"This event was important because when you think of SAPR, it's always death by PowerPoint or some other type of training," Brown added. "This is another area of SAPR where we can have great event in a less threatening, force-fed manner and still get our point across about the importance of getting consent."

The concert provided entertainment from the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, local Japanese Band JerNi, Takeo High School Jazz Band and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Jazz Ensemble 6.

"It was amazing to see the Yokota community enjoy live music, experience the sounds from our awesome bands and see the collaborations with the Air Force and JASDF bands," Brown said.

This year marked the first year of the Summer Series Concerts, but Browns said she is hoping to recreate the performances next year. Brown thanked everyone who participated in the event and those who came out to support it.

"The Yokota Community helped make this concert series a success," Brown said. "Without their help and participation there wouldn't have been a Summer Series Concert. As always Yokota Air Base showed how versatile they can be and how we continue to join forces with our host nation no matter the occasion."

The enjoyment was meant for the crowd, but the band enjoyed sharing a message through their music.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Mrs. Brown and the SAPR office this summer during the concert series," Maj. Cristina Moore Urrutia, Band of the Pacific-Asia commander "It gave us the opportunity to emphasize the importance of sexual assault awareness using music to make the message last even longer."