Will Dewitt, conductor of the band, said he was happy with the turnout.
“The entire evening was fantastic. The multi-purpose center was completely full,” DeWitt said.
He lauded the band for its “all out” performance in entertaining the audience with selections from the Carnegie repertoire, including John Barnes Chance’s “Elegy,” Sousa’s “Invincible Eagle,” and the “Alvamar Overture.
The spectacular performance and colorful costumes of the Korean dancers also impressed the audience.
Another SSHS band, this time under student conductor Joseph Jang, also performed.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our entire community, but would like to especially thank Jun Ho Park of the P’Art Academy and the Korean community for making the event possible and successful,” DeWitt said.
The group still needs more funds for the airfare of the 40 students who will be performing at the Carnegie Hall in New York.
The band needs at least $140,000 for the trip.
“We have raised most of that and have paid for our hotel, festival fees, and all of the other various expenses on the New York side. Now, we have to figure out how we’re going to get there,” DeWitt said.
The band has scheduled more performances in March before heading to New York City in April.
The Manta Ray Band won two gold medals in the annual Tumon Bay Music Festival on Guam in March last year.
