Act of Congress has returned from the American Music Abroad tour in Southeast Asia. (Courtesy of Lisa Cole)
Birmingham band Act of Congress left last month on their first international tour and ended up snorkeling with the president and attorney general of the Southeastern Asian country of Palau.
“It was probably the most amazing experience we’ve ever had,” said Act of Congress guitlar player Chris Griffin. “We got the backdoor tour of all these amazing places.”
The group was selected out of 300 applicants to participate in the American Music Abroad tour, which took them through The Philippines, Palau and East Timor.
The tour was a partnership between by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Association of American Voices.
The two groups looked for not only a talented group, but an act that could reach and teach to a wide range of people, according to State department officials.
Act of Congress visited Washington, D.C. prior to leaving the country where they toured schools, prepared for the tour and appeared on national radio.
“They’re a young group of really positive people,” said Michele Los-Banos Jardina, deputy director of the Cultural Programs Division at the Department of State.
The group spent their days on tour hosting workshops for music students and their nights performing concerts in their various tour stops. But, Griffin said the music wasn’t their sole focus.
“Quickly into the tour, we realized that it was more than a tour,” he said.
The American Music Abroad tour is a part of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s smart power diplomacy through music, dance and film, according to State Department officials.
“It became their view of Americans through us,” he said. “It was great to have a positive influence.”
Griffin said the tour provided some in the countries the opportunity to meet an American for the first time.
The experience opened up doors for the group and the group has expressed interest in touring internationally again, including revisiting Southeast Asia, according to Griffin.
“They’ve all expressed interested in having us back,” he said.