Sound of Freedom: "In his opening remarks to the sold-out crowd in attendance Tuesday evening at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Secretary of State Colin Powell referred to the historic event as 'the music of hope; the sweet, sweet sound of freedom.'

"On Tuesday, the National Symphony Orchestra, led by music director and conductor Leonard Slatkin and joined by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, shared the stage for the first time ever with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra."

"Met by spontaneous thunderous applause, cheers, and a standing ovation, it was obvious that the orchestra wasn't prepared for the reception they received. 'They were blown away,' commented Arabic interpreter Mustafa Sayid. When asked about his emotions, Iraqi violinist Luay Yousif simply said through a smile, 'wonderful, very wonderful.'

"Another said 'this was the first time we were ever able to leave Iraq without government minders watching our every move and ordering our steps.' For the first time in many of the musician's lives, they were experiencing a small taste of freedom."