THE Guam Territorial Band wrapped up its 30th Anniversary New York Tour with a performance in the historic and world-renowned Carnegie Hall, a press release said.
Playing alongside bands and orchestras from California and Virginia, Guam leaves the 2007 New York Band and Orchestra Festival with a Silver Award.
The group left Guam on April 14 and arrived in Toronto, Canada. After touring the exciting city that included a stop at the CN Tower, the Roger Stadium where JR Hattig plays, and a concert and tour of the Ontario Science Center, the group went on by bus to New York City.
On the way, there was a stop at Niagara Falls, and the many that never saw snow got just that. While New York saw the worst storm in a long time, Guam’s finest musicians were playing in the snow, making a snowman, and enjoying cold weather not found on Guam.
In New York, the band performed for the East Meadows Clarke High School in Long Island, visited Dr. James McCroy for a band clinic at C.W. Post of Long Island University, performed at Central Park Band Shell, and met the other musicians while on a dinner cruise of the Hudson River.
During their downtime, many experienced a musical, went shopping in Time Square, absorbed the view of the city atop the Empire State Building, or simply roamed the streets of the Big Apple. Many experienced the subway for the first time.
Other groups performing at Carnegie Hall included the Langley High School Wind Symphony, Tosoro High School Band and Orchestra, Lynwood High School, and Homestead High School Band and Orchestra. Showcased as part of the festival were the Homestead High School Wind Symphony, Langley High School Wind Symphony, and the Shenandoah University Wind Ensemble.
“With the circumstances we have on Guam, we are doing very well. Obviously, with a Silver Award, we definitely have room for improvement. The greatest injustice is to recognize the talents we have on Guam and not do anything about it. Guam’s musicians are comparable to those of the rest of the nation. Our next level of growth on Guam would be for the community to invest in a conservatory and a concert hall. (We are) proud of the musicians that participated. The experience was truly once in a lifetime. To God, the many parents, supporters, corporate sponsors, and most especially to our family for taking so much time away to prepare the group and travel…thank you,” the group said.
The band will be returning to Guam at 1 a.m. today
The Guam Territorial Band will be hosting the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Exhibit entitled New Harmonies from June 10-July 22 at the Royal Orchid Hotel. Spring boarding off of performing at Carnegie Hall, Ronquillo has been tasked to find 40 musicians from Guam to be part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Orchestra (Marching Band). 2008 musicians from all over the globe will be part of this group that will perform for the opening ceremonies and other events in the 2008 Olympics.
To accomplish these upcoming events, the band is always in search for volunteers, band boosters, and corporate sponsors.
For more information on the Guam Territorial Band, visit www.gtb-guam.org