The differences between the two bands were noticeable – the uniforms, the language, the culture. One group was all officers, the other, all enlisted personnel.But, they had a common purpose and found common ground May 16 during a joint performance that brought The United States Army Band, "Pershing’s Own," and the Military Band of the People’s Liberation Army of China together on the stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.In the first of four concerts scheduled this week in May, the two military bands emphasized what they had in common instead of what differences they may have."I just really hope that we can form a more personal relationship," Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Army chief of staff, said in his welcoming remarks before the performance to a near-capacity audience."My experience from the last 10 years with countries in south Asia suggests that real conversation only begins when you have a relationship, and we don’t have a relationship now," Dempsey said. "I think that step one is building that relationship and step two is getting a better understanding of each other."The 85-person Chinese delegation arrived in Washington for rehearsal May 12, and following the performance at the Kennedy Center performed concerts in Philadelphia, Pa.; New York City at the United Nations; and at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The Chinese band also played a concert at Brucker Hall on Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall, Va."All the members of the PLA Band are extremely happy to have the opportunity to visit the United States and we have long looked forward to this visit," Senior Col. Yu Hai, the Chinese band director, said through an interpreter.Adding, "We hope this cooperation and the joint concerts can be a milestone between the two military bands and between our two militaries."The concert series was first conceived in 2010 under the former Army chief of staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. He wanted the band exchange to be just one of many military-to-military exchanges that would build cooperation and understanding between the two armies and countries."It may be that our piece of this military-to-military exchange will serve as some sort of example to the public and the leaders of these countries that you have to start somewhere," Maj. Dwayne Milburn, director of the Army Chorus, said.Adding, "The fact that we can get ourselves together and communicate in the common language of music is a starting place."The concerts also present the opportunity to see how the Chinese musicians interpret and play traditional western concert music as they play in unique venues such as the Lincoln Center and the United Nations.In addition, members of The United States Army Band said they hope the partnership will give them more exposure to traditional Chinese music."I’m very excited to play their music for the same reason I am excited to be exposed to the raw Chinese culture," Staff Sgt. Eric Seay, Army string player, said.He noted, "Music is as old as man, and China has been making music Chinese-style for a long time. Even though we are playing arguably western music, I hope there are some interesting Chinese harmonies that I might not otherwise be exposed to."The joint performances coincided with the visit of Gen. Chen Bingde, the chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army of China.Bingde toured several American military installations to observe training exercises.(Based on a story by Army News Service.)