thedrifter
02-09-06, 08:30 AM
Local band students develop new appreciation for music from Marine mentorship
Marine Forces Pacific
Story by: Lance Cpl. J. Ethan Hoaldridge
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Feb. 8, 2006) -- The children couldn’t help but clap, dance and tap their feet as the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed stylish pieces of music, both traditional and new.
Close to sixty band students from Holy Family Catholic Academy attended a music clinic given by the MARFORPAC band at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Feb. 7.
“This is a wonderful experience for my students to see a professional environment of music, and what’s expected when music is your profession,” said David Gonzalez, Holy Family Catholic’s band teacher. “My main goal is to teach these kids respect, teamwork and musicianship.”
The MARFORPAC band welcomes these opportunities to reach the community.
“We try to get out in the community as much as possible using music clinics, festivals or parades,” said Staff Sgt. Tracy L. Martinez, the enlisted conductor for the band. “We try to find schools that are interested in our mentorship for more than just music. We as Marines represent a higher standard and can set an example for these children.”
As Martinez directed the band, he explained how the Marines would conduct themselves in a professional manner, by sitting up straight, not talking and staying uniform with each other.
He also walked the students through a mock rehearsal, playing a new piece of music the band had only practiced once before.
After some coaching, one student was given the chance to take hold of the baton and direct the Marine band himself.
During part of the clinic, the children grabbed their instruments and took a seat next to the Marines in their respective sections, so they could get a taste of how professional musicians practice.
Martinez took a piece of music the children were working on, “Low Rider,” and rehearsed them while the Marines coached.
Matt Vasconcelles, a 13-year old who has been a percussionist for eight years, was offered the chance to play on the Marines’ drum set. He was small in stature, but his talent was huge. He set the rhythm for the band with a little flavor of his own.
“That kid blew me away,” said Sgt. Mike Herak, a MARFORPAC band percussionist. “He was great for his age.”
Holy Family Catholic has had some great opportunities to show off their talents.
“We’ve played at Disneyland, different festivals and one of our big events is the Aloha Week Parade, which is where I met up with the Marine band,” said Gonzalez.
Later in the morning, the children were broken into groups with Marines that played the same instrument, working on fundamentals, such as tuning their instruments, technique and proper breathing.
After the clinic, the Marines showed the students that being a musician is not all work and no play.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth D. Douglas, small ensemble leader, gave the children a chance to see the Marines break it down.
The Marines changed modes, dawned their coolest shades and stowed their traditional marching music in their back pocket.
“We try and play new songs, even some you here on the radio, and we perform at festivals and other events,” said Douglas. “We wanted to show the kids that we play a variety of styles of music.”
As the clinic concluded, the children walked away with a new found respect for music, and eyes full of inspiration.
Ellie
Marine Forces Pacific
Story by: Lance Cpl. J. Ethan Hoaldridge
U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Feb. 8, 2006) -- The children couldn’t help but clap, dance and tap their feet as the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performed stylish pieces of music, both traditional and new.
Close to sixty band students from Holy Family Catholic Academy attended a music clinic given by the MARFORPAC band at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Feb. 7.
“This is a wonderful experience for my students to see a professional environment of music, and what’s expected when music is your profession,” said David Gonzalez, Holy Family Catholic’s band teacher. “My main goal is to teach these kids respect, teamwork and musicianship.”
The MARFORPAC band welcomes these opportunities to reach the community.
“We try to get out in the community as much as possible using music clinics, festivals or parades,” said Staff Sgt. Tracy L. Martinez, the enlisted conductor for the band. “We try to find schools that are interested in our mentorship for more than just music. We as Marines represent a higher standard and can set an example for these children.”
As Martinez directed the band, he explained how the Marines would conduct themselves in a professional manner, by sitting up straight, not talking and staying uniform with each other.
He also walked the students through a mock rehearsal, playing a new piece of music the band had only practiced once before.
After some coaching, one student was given the chance to take hold of the baton and direct the Marine band himself.
During part of the clinic, the children grabbed their instruments and took a seat next to the Marines in their respective sections, so they could get a taste of how professional musicians practice.
Martinez took a piece of music the children were working on, “Low Rider,” and rehearsed them while the Marines coached.
Matt Vasconcelles, a 13-year old who has been a percussionist for eight years, was offered the chance to play on the Marines’ drum set. He was small in stature, but his talent was huge. He set the rhythm for the band with a little flavor of his own.
“That kid blew me away,” said Sgt. Mike Herak, a MARFORPAC band percussionist. “He was great for his age.”
Holy Family Catholic has had some great opportunities to show off their talents.
“We’ve played at Disneyland, different festivals and one of our big events is the Aloha Week Parade, which is where I met up with the Marine band,” said Gonzalez.
Later in the morning, the children were broken into groups with Marines that played the same instrument, working on fundamentals, such as tuning their instruments, technique and proper breathing.
After the clinic, the Marines showed the students that being a musician is not all work and no play.
Staff Sgt. Kenneth D. Douglas, small ensemble leader, gave the children a chance to see the Marines break it down.
The Marines changed modes, dawned their coolest shades and stowed their traditional marching music in their back pocket.
“We try and play new songs, even some you here on the radio, and we perform at festivals and other events,” said Douglas. “We wanted to show the kids that we play a variety of styles of music.”
As the clinic concluded, the children walked away with a new found respect for music, and eyes full of inspiration.
Ellie