Iraqi orchestra goes to America

The orchestra have managed to continue despite the war

The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra is to perform a concert in Washington DC, it has been announced.

The musicians will conduct a joint concert with the American Symphony Orchestra in a show hosted by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Iraqi orchestra has managed to continue together despite the war.

The performance, to be conducted by the two orchestra's musical directors, will take place at the John F Kennedy centre on 9 December.

The US State Department announced the free concert on Wednesday.

"The arts have emerged as vital components of every society, and Iraq is no exception," said the president of the Kennedy Centre, Michael Kaiser.

"I believe the people of Iraq deserve a thriving arts community."