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2nd Annual Spring Musical enraptures Saipan audience
Saipan’s biggest names in the music industry united under one roof Wednesday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center for the 2nd Annual PSS Spring Music Festival.
The red curtains on stage were pulled away to present various musical groups ranging from elementary and middle school, to high school students who have gained regional accolades in the past year.
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- Garapan Elementary School’s Lawrence Tubera sings Journey’s Faithfully to open the evening’s performances on Wednesday of the 2nd Annual PSS Spring Music Festival. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
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- Members of the Hip-Hopwood Rock band put on a show for dozens of PSS officials, students, and community members at Wednesday’s PSS Spring Music Festival. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
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- Members of the group “Flow” play their instruments during the Spring Music Festival Wednesday. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
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- Justina Lee, on the piano, leads the newly formed Marianas High School Concert Band in a song number at Wednesday’s event. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
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- Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan and Rep. Ed Villagomez smile for the Saipan Tribune at Wednesday’s music festival. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
According to Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, the annual celebration is an effort to continually promote the performing arts in public schools.
“We are honored to be surrounded by these talented artists. Their coordinators and mentors are doing a lot with what little they have,” she said. “The students have succeeded not just in the CNMI but in Guam and elsewhere in our region.”
Garapan Elementary School’s Mallard Band, Koblerville Elementary School’s Umang Glee Club, and Out Of the Ordinary opened the night’s event.
Garapan Elementary School student Lawrence Tubera drew much applause for his cover of Journey’s Faithfully. “I enjoyed performing tonight. The best part of it was when I was done and everyone clapped. I am glad I could sing for everyone,” he told Saipan Tribune.
The festival also featured Hopwood Jr. High School’s Hip-Hopwood Rock band, which drew loud cheers and applause from the audience.
Saipan Southern High School’s Flow and Manta Ray Concert band was an obvious favorite.
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan was present at the event to support the youth. “I was here last year and I always enjoy myself. Students are my favorite people. I see the talent and energy and it brings hope for our future,” he said.
Mikhail Alcantara, Flow band member, said his group was honored to perform for PSS officials and members of the community.
“These kinds of activities are important to showcase our future artists and the CNMI’s talent. All of the groups are award winning,” he said.
Marianas High School also brought to the stage four groups: MHS Concert Band, Glee/Rhythm ‘n’ Harmony, Prep Band, and the Pocksai Chamorro Chorale.
One audience member, Victoria Nishida, told Saipan Tribune that the event “was an awesome experience.”
“It is good to see kids busy with things like this. It is really good for them and the community. It also develops their self-confidence and will give them a better future,” she added.
