With little fanfare, the students found their chairs on the stage and readied their instruments. The ensemble first swelled into a tune of American composition. Following the familiar song, they played a jazzy number, two songs from their homeland, a medley of popular songs from Frozen, and ended with a charming Christmas medley.

Although the music in itself was quite spectacular, the true significance of the performance lied in the participants.

The students were from St. Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane, Australia. They started their three-week tour of the southern United States with a brief stop in Arlington, playing an hour-long concert in the auditorium for students and faculty.

“It is a neat opportunity for our students to meet and greet and hear what band students do from literally the other side of the world,” Michael Hejny, AHS band director, said.

After a number of instrumental songs, a young musician by the name of Akash stood up, and leaving his bass guitar at his seat, came forward to lend his vocals to a couple of native Australian songs.

“It’s really more of an intriguing experience because obviously the American band is different from the Australian band,” he said after the show. “You guys seem to have a great sound and it’s cool seeing the differences between us.”

The Australians’ American counterparts were equally fascinated.

“We got to meet new people that have the same interest in music as us,” Trey Tarver, junior, said.

After their concert, the Australians loaded up their bus and set off on their tour. After stops in San Antonio and Houston, they were going to leave Texas and make their way across the southeastern states, leaving behind memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We’re very similar as students and as a band but their visit made me want to see more places and meet more people,” Emma Ruby, freshman, said.