The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Pacific Brass Quintet, toured the southern Mariana Islands with an arrangement of holiday music performances for the community, Dec. 2-10.
Pacific Brass made stops at local middle schools and high schools in Saipan, Tinian and Guam where they performed a number of holiday classics and original compositions, workshopped with band students, and shared some career experiences.
Their motto, “Partnerships Through Music,” came to fruition as each rendition of familiar songs connected and captivated their audiences.
“When you start making music, all division around the world stops,” said Staff Sgt Colby Parker, regional band tuba and music director for Pacific Brass Quintet.
The band consists of a tuba, a French horn, two trumpets, and a trombone. This was their third year visiting Guam as part of Operation Christmas Drop and the first year visiting Saipan and Tinian. In Guam, they performed at Okkodo High School and Untalan Middle School.
“I was overwhelmed with emotions, it was really inspiring,” said He’vea Santos, a senior at Okkodo High School in Guam. “I want to be as cool as that and have a job that spreads cheer.”
The band is integral in the U.S. Air Force’s community relations efforts in the Pacific and Asia. Their music is often times a first impression of the U.S. military for some people, offering an alternate perspective to what the media might portray.
Maximo Ronquillo Jr., band director at Okkodo High School and founder of the Guam National Guard 721st Army Band, was eager to host Pacific Brass and share the same connection to music in the military with his students.
“As musicians in the service, we have the privilege of being the soul of the military,” said Ronquillo. “And we play the soul of our country.”
