DID you know that the Northern Marianas has its very own concert band? The 30-some member Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band held its spring concert last April 13 at the Ballroom of the Marianas Beach Resort (formerly the Hyatt) in Garapan.
During the two-hour performance, the band played a special Quincy Jones tribute. It also played musical pieces by different composers, including Goddess of Fire by Steven Reineke.
Atsuko Eck has been the director of the concert band since 2015. Donovan Tudela assists Eck. Presently band members range in age from 13 to 76. Eck says, “Age doesn’t matter…as long as they have passion and skill.”
According to a printed program of the band’s spring concert, the group had its beginning in 1988 under William Dewitt, “a passionate and skilled conductor, with teachers and volunteers from Marianas High School, Saipan Adventist Clinic, and Northern Marianas College performing at different venues throughout the Marianas.”
The concert band officially incorporated in 2001, according to the band’s printed program.
If anyone wants to help support the band, contributions will be used to purchase music scores and maintain instruments. Checks can be made out to Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band. Paypal is also available at saipanpacificwinds@gmail.com
The Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band and its director, Atsuko Eck, in white jacket, far left.
Donovan Tudela directs the Saipan Pacific Winds Concert Band at its spring concert last month.
Photo by Scott Eck
