Saipan, Guam musicians to hold concert at Hyatt

Musicians from Saipan and Guam will be performing in a concert at the Hyatt Regency Saipan this Jan. 7, 2023.

The concert—called “Marianas Friendship Concert: Uniting the Marianas Through Music”—will feature the Marianas High School’s Rhythm ‘N Harmony Glee Club, piano soloists from the Yonsei Academy (Saipan), the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band, and the award-winning Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra from Guam, which will be performing on Saipan for the first time.

The concert will conclude with a massed ensemble composed of musicians from the Saipan Pacific Winds and the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra.

Leading up to the Jan. 7 concert, the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra will be visiting local schools on Saipan.

Who’s who in the cast

• Marianas High School Rhythm ‘N Harmony Glee Club is an award-winning student led vocal ensemble established in 2010 at MHS. The ensemble is a very active contributor to the performing arts community in the CNMI by participating in various local events including Saipan Got Talent, various local musical theater productions and civic ceremonies. They have represented the CNMI abroad at International Thespian Competition (Nebraska) rating Superior and at the Tumon Bay Music Festival (Guam) where they have won gold awards, been chosen as the Judges’ Choice and also the recipient of the festival’s Sweepstakes Award several times. The group is student led by Mylan Goodwin.

Musicians from Saipan and Guam will be performing in a concert at the Hyatt Regency Saipan this Jan. 7, 2023. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

• Yonsei Academy (Saipan) is a private piano studio in Finasisu that has been led by its current director and owner, Jihye Yun. The studio’s current enrollment consists of 38 students from grades 1 to 12. The Jan. 7 concert will feature two piano soloists from the Yonsei Academy: Eric Lai (11th grade student at Grace Christian Academy) and Peter Peng (9th grade student at Agape Christian School).

• Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band, the CNMI’s community concert band, was officially incorporated in April 2001. They trace their origins to efforts as early as 1988 when teachers and volunteers from Marianas High School, Seventh Day Adventist Clinic and the Northern Marianas College began performing in different venues throughout the Marianas led by founder and former Saipan resident William DeWitt. The current ensemble is composed of middle, high, and college students; working professionals and retirees with a huge passion for music. They provide ceremonial music for the annual Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies and perform at other civic events. Since 2017, the organization has hosted the Saipan Wind Band Festival.

• Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra is Guam’s newest award-winning community youth orchestra composed of youth musicians from Harvest Christian Academy, Saint John’s School, the Guam Department of Education, the Department of Defense Education Activities, University of Guam, Mount Carmel School (Saipan) and the community-at-large. They perform an eclectic repertoire that spans from the Baroque period to the latest theatrical soundtrack. They are excited to travel to Saipan and are eager to share their music.

A portion of the concert proceeds will go to music programs on Saipan.

Concert information

• Location: Hyatt Regency Saipan Ballroom (former Sandcastle)

• Doors open at 5pm; concert begins at 5:30pm.

• Cost: Tickets: $15 – $275

• Online ticket sales: https://guamphilharmonic.ticketleap.com/marianas-friendship- concert-new-years-edition/

• For table reservations, visit www.guamphilharmonic.org, and click on the concert flyer.

• For more information, visit: www.guamphilharmonic.org, email: info@guamphilharmonic.org or call (toll free) 844-487-4364

On Saipan, contact the Saipan Pacific Winds: email: saipanpacificwinds@gmail.com or text 670-287-2279 (text only). (PR/Saipan Tribune)