Korean, local groups to stage festival concerts

Over 100 musicians from two local bands and a band from South Korea will perform in a couple of concerts beginning this week, led by the Saipan Southern High School Manta Band, which is busy preparing for its upcoming trip to the 2012 London Olympics.

The musical celebration will kick off Friday at Koblerville Elementary School with the Saipan Pacific Wind Concert Band, under the direction of Will DeWitt and Christine Nierras, presenting its 18th Annual Spring Concert on June 8. Admission is free but there is a nominal charge for food and beverages, which will be on sale. The show begins at 6:30pm.

According to DeWitt, this will be an opportunity for music lovers to kick off their weekend.

The Pacific Winds is a non-profit community organization composed of adult and student members that perform six to eight times a year in support of civic, holiday, and other local artistic endeavors. They have also performed at the Tumon Bay Music Festival, where they earned the gold award in the open division for bands in 2011.

On Friday, the 30-piece ensemble will perform their entire 2012 repertoire, including favorites such as Buglers Holiday, King Cotton, and music from several Hollywood blockbusters (Jaws, E.T., A Bug’s Life, Star Wars, Forest Gump, Indiana Jones, and more).

The band will also debut a major programmatic work from Japan titled The 7th Night of July, which depicts a cosmic love story.

On June 18, three award-winning ensembles will share the stage at the American Memorial Park for a festival concert that promises to be a landmark musical event featuring the collaboration of 150 musicians from two countries.

The Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band, Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Concert Band, and Hwasun School Brass Band from Korea will present a two-hour musical program. The show starts at 6:30pm.

DeWitt, who is also the musical conductor and director for the Manta Ray Band, said the playlist includes a wide array of styles and genres. Featured pieces are Jersey Boys; Earth, Wind, and Fire; John Williams’ movie music; Sousa marches; music by Quincy Jones; Michael Jackson; classical favorites like Dvorak’s New World Symphony; Mr. Holland’s Opus; and the debut performance of a commissioned work for Saipan by Japanese composer Daiki Kato titled Mariana Variations, a concert march based on the CNMI anthem.

This event is also a fundraiser for the Manta Band’s performance tour in the Summer Olympics, with all proceeds going to support their historic trip to London.

Tickets are available at the P’Art School of Music, Brabu Pharmacy, and from SSHS Main Office (664-4000). Adults are $20, students $15 (high school and younger). Pre-purchase of tickets is highly encouraged as the event is expected to draw a capacity audience.

DeWitt encourages community members to consider sponsoring a ticket for someone who would like to go on their behalf. He revealed that the Manta Band needs to raise $90,000 more to reach their total goal of $250,000.