Saipan Community School holds Spring Band Concert

Saipan Community School band director Tamiko Winkfield, right, poses with members of the school’s Concert Band after last week’s 27th Spring Band Concert at the Saipan Community Church’s chapel. (Contributed Photo)

Saipan Community School hosted its 27th Spring Band Concert at the Saipan Community Church’s chapel last week.

About 80 family, friends, and guests came out to watch 39 SCS students perform tunes that harked back to 1994, when many of the same pieces were performed for that year’s Spring Band Concert, including the theme from Jurassic Park—in anticipation of this summer’s release of Jurassic World.

Band director Tamiko Winkfield said the 39 students are in various levels of the band—beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

SCS physical education teacher William Shroeder, fourth from left, spearheaded the school’s educational technology carwash last April 25. (Contributed Photo)

She extended her heartfelt congratulations to band members for performing creditably during the April 30 concert.

“Congratulations SCS Concert Band for your hard work, dedication, and a great performance. Congratulations on being part of 27 years of band history at SCS! You provided awesome music for the community! Well done!”

Winkfield and SCS aren’t done yet as the school will be hosting its Uke Jam today, May 7, again at the Susupe school’s chapel.

Winkfield said it is the 15th year that ukulele has been used to teach the required music class that all students must take.

(Contributed Photo)

“This year, we have expanded our ukulele program to include 3rd to 5th graders as well as our already established 6th to 8th program. It will be a fun night of ukulele music. The ukulele fosters island culture, fun, friendship, and great music. Come and share in the joy of music with us!”

Today’s Uke Jam will start at 7:30am and entrance is free.

Carwash raises $4K
In related news, SCS’ first-ever carwash to raise funds for the school’s educational technology needs was a complete success with the fundraising campaign raising $4,000.

Headed by SCS physical education teacher William Shroeder, the carwash was held last April 25 at the SCS premises. All of SCS teachers and staff and almost 100 percent of 4th to 8th graders came to wash cars.

“He saw a need for educational technology and wanted to get the students involved in learning how to raise funds for their education,” said Winkfield.

Under the setup, higher grade students washed cars and the lower elementary K-3 participated in a very successful bake sale.

“We are so thankful to the community for their support of education. You gave the students a great learning experience and have allowed them to practice lifelong skills,” added Winkfield.