NMI well-represented at 2015 Tumon Bay Music Fest

Saipan’s own musicians are set to take part once more in this year’s 2015 Tumon Bay Music Festival, which will take place from March 7 to 14.

The eight-day festival will feature different musical performances—solo and small ensemble, pop concert, bands, vocal masters, instrumental performances, choral groups, and many more—all leading to the finale and awards ceremony on March 14.

Hopwood Junior High School will be performing on March 8 at the Pop Concert Festival, but this schedule may still change.

Marianas High School’s music groups, including its Pep Band, Chorale, and Glee Club, have confirmed their participation as well.

Paul Dujua, MHS Glee Club Rhythm ‘N Harmony music director, told Saipan Tribune this will be the group’s fourth year to join.

Rhythm ‘N Harmony’s performance is set for Friday, March 13, at the Kahida Guam Plaza Hotel and on March 14 during the awarding ceremonies, together with the Festival Massed Choir.

Dujua said a total of 18 members are going.

“Aside from rehearsing daily, we are also scheduled to visit and perform in three schools: Liguan Elementary School, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, and Simon Sanchez High School,” he said.

“We are totally psyched and have been in the process of learning new songs for our performance during the last couple of weeks. Our rehearsals will get even more demanding as we get closer to the big day. I am definitely very excited and looking forward to this trip. It would be a lie to say that I’m not nervous—there’s always this feeling one would get when joining competitions—but I am very proud of Rhythm ‘N Harmony for having this opportunity and we will strive do our best to represent MHS and the CNMI,” he added.

MHS teacher Harold Easton confirmed that 40 musicians (with 18 from Rhythm ‘N Harmony) will attend.

This will be MHS Chorale’s third time at the festival while it will be MHS Pep Band’s second visit.

“The clubs are indebted to the Public School System, MHS, MHS PTA, Bridge Capital, and I Love Saipan for their financial support. The clubs also raised substantial funds through public performance, raffles, solicitation and personal contribution from family and friends,” he said.

The MHS Pep Band will perform on March 8 at 1pm as part of Pops Concert at the Center Court of the Micronesian Mall.

The MHS Pep Band includes Gina Agular, Rebecca Albiento, Joyce Alfonso, Angela Aninon, Jullianne Bigueras, Marcy Ermitanio, Lester Garcia, Daniel Han, Kathy He, Diana Lopera, Karl Marcellana, Bohyun Mun, Noemy Pamintuan, Angelica Recelis, Ronnel Ringor, Nickles Salmon, and Nina Valerio.

The MHS Chorale will perform on March 7 as part of the solo and small ensemble festival in St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tumon. In the first session, John Huevos and Lorenzy Leo will perform solos. Joselle Reyes and Paula Regine Gozon will perform under small ensembles. Also performing in small ensembles are the Chorale and the Madrigirls of MHS Chorale. On session three, solo singers from the MHS Chorale, Justina You Na Lee, Ann Margaret Norcio, Rodileen Mae Morales, Kaela Mae Valencia, Roland Balajadia, You Na Lee, and Miguel Aninon will perform.

According to TBMF website, Saipan Southern High School and some other solo artists and instrumental players will also be performing.

SSHS band Flow’s performance is set for the Pop Concert Festival on March 8.

Landon Aydlett, TBMF public relations director, said it is always a pleasure to have Saipan perform in the festival.

“It is a pleasure to have them come with full energy and life and we welcome them. It is great to have them here and I can’t wait to see them,” Aydlett said.

TBMF was first founded as Tumon Bay Band Festival in March 2005. It was later renamed in 2007. It is a production of the Guam Territorial Band Society.