MHS lauds music groups’ success at Tumon Bay Music Fest

The Marianas High School?s Glee Club in an adjudicated performance of The Ballad of Sweeney Todd at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Guam. (Contributed Photo)

Marianas High School on Friday lauded the success of all three of its music groups that took home a total of 17 awards from the 2014 Tumon Bay Music Festival held recently in Guam.
Aside from the 17 awards, MHS’ Pep Band, Chorale, and Glee Club Rhythm ‘N Harmony also won two judges’ choice award invitations to perform at the festival’s command performances and awards rites.

The Pep Band, under the direction of David Frahm, earned a gold medal in the “Jazz, Rock and Beyond” category, and the Judges’ Choice Award that allowed them to perform at the festival’s closing night’s invitation-only concert. This was the group’s first visit to the festival. The group performed in the Governor Joseph Flores Ypao Beach Amphitheater in Tumon to an enthusiastic crowd on March 9.

Pep Band members are Angela De Leon Aninon (keyboards), Jullianne Faye Cristino Bigueras (drums), Jullian Martin Pangelinan Briosos (trumpet), Marcy Ann Acosta Ermitanio (percussion), Lester Boy R. Garcia (guitar), Diane Abrece Lopera (alto saxophone), Linson Bill R. Manahan (bass guitar), Bohyun Mun (tenor saxophone), and Richard Pei Quan (trumpet).

The MHS Chorale, under the direction of Ruthie Fruit, was represented by a nonet (nine singers) who, as a group, garnered a gold medal for their performance in the “Ensemble” category last March 8. Other gold medal winners include soloists Krisna Balalong (MHS Chorale president), Paula Gozon, John Huevos, Ann Margaret Norcio, and Joselle Reyes; silver medals were earned in duet performances by Julia Espino/John Huevos and Paula Gozon/Joselle Reyes.

Additional silver medals were won by soloists Jayrald Mercene, Rodileen Morales, and Adjii Vierness. Julia Espino brought back a bronze medal in solo singing. The members of the MHS Chorale were all first-timers.

The MHS Chorale can be heard regularly as part of the group’s 4-year-old community service commitment to bring chorale music to the island through free monthly concerts.

The two-time Tumon Bay Music Festival Sweepstakes Award-winning MHS Glee Club Rhythm ‘N Harmony, under the direction of Paul Dujua, also earned a gold medal for their performance and a Judges’ Choice Award that allowed them to perform at the festival’s closing night’s invitation-only concert.

The group was the top point earner in the “High School Chorus” category. Ramon Rudnytsky graciously stepped in to accompany them in their Mozart Requiem piece Dies Irae in the festival’s closing night concert. Seven of the Club members also performed in the “Ensemble” category.

A quintet called “Plus Five”—composed of Simei Jr. Charfauros, Lemuel Joshua G. Bunao, Darren John Cajipo, Noel Jimenez, and Paul Dujua—earned gold as did the duet team of Lady Dominique Canape/Noel Jimenez. In addition the group was requested to perform at the Church of the Son to an enthusiastic reception.

During their stay, the MHS Glee Club visited the choral groups at St. John School and Simon Sanchez High School, exchanging ideas and music. Glee Club members also performed at the Mack Brandon Project, a Gospel Music Choral event that was part of the festival’s closing night concert. Darren Cajipo, Lady Dominique Canape, Annabel Phiskoon Manzo, and MHS Fine Arts director Harold Easton were chosen as soloists for this event.

Other members of the MHS Glee Club that performed at the Tumon Festival were Anne Marie Tupaz Cruz, Diane Villasan Hermogenes, John Nickole Garcia Huevos, Noel Reguine Jimenez Jr., Emily Lisa Jones, Jennella Nelmida, William Rey M. Percil, Lara Samantha Cruz Santiago, and Shaina Lyra Cruz Santiago. The club was further assisted in its Tumon Bay Music Festival visit by Florilyn T. Jones.