Defence musicians were honoured to present a workshop and cultural exchange with students and staff at the United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi) in Vietnam.
The ADF musicians travelled to Vietnam as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour, one of Australia's key regional engagement programs.
While in Hanoi, the musicians participated in Anzac Day services hosted by the Australian and New Zealand embassies.
Leading Aircraftman Patrick Thiele, of the Air Force Band, demonstrated the Last Post bugle call, and Leading Seaman Grant Rowsell, of the Royal Australian Navy Band Western Australian, played the Yidaki (didgeridoo).
Band members said the students and staff showed enthusiastic appreciation of discussions around the Anzac legacy and Indigenous cultural traditions they demonstrated.
"The kids absolutely loved it, and I personally enjoyed commemorating Anzac Day with them … When we returned, the children drew pictures of the instruments they liked most, and we're planning to create them using recyclable materials. It's been a wonderful hands-on learning experience for everyone," an early years teacher at the school said.
Singing connects people around the world regardless of language, and is especially significant in Vietnamese culture.
Leading Seaman Rowsell said he was particularly interested to learn about 'Xam' singing, a traditional art form that originates in Vietnam's north.
Xam lyrics narrate daily life stories, and are considered an important part of the Vietnamese people's spiritual life. A similarity can be drawn to the role of the song man in Australian Indigenous culture.
'It's been a wonderful hands-on learning experience for everyone.'
Band members also conducted a concert band workshop focused on An Australian Up-Country Tune, by Australian composer Percy Grainger.
The piece is a simple melody, originally written for voices, that evokes the peaceful grandeur of the Australian outback, but could just as easily express the grand vision of Hanoi's Red River as it winds through the Vietnamese countryside.
Students joyously clapped along to popular songs performed by singer Corporal Chloe Bruer-Jones.
To complete the workshop the school band played alongside the Air Force musicians.
School band director Scott Harbin said It was a great experience for the students.
"To not only hear a group of professional musicians, but also to have a chance to play with them was really special," Mr Harbin said.
"Options for live music are a bit limited in Hanoi, so being able to have the music come to us on campus is an important part of the students' musical education."
The UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit coeducational English-language school that serves more than 1100 students from over 60 nations.
The school has a comprehensive arts and music program, including concert band, orchestra and choir.
