Marines

Photo Information

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - After the performances, students from Iolani met with Marines who were able to help them practice concert music. Each of the students were assisted by a Marine who either played the same instrument or was in the same section. U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Band hosted students from Iolani School Oct. 30 at the band hall. The event was proposed to promote public relations and music education in the community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Harley Thomas)

Photo by Pfc. Harley Thomas

Iolani School visits MARFORPAC Band

7 Nov 2014 | Pfc. Harley Thomas Marine Corps Base Hawaii

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band hosted students from Iolani School Oct. 30, 2014 at the band hall. The event was proposed to promote public relations and music education in the community.

After watching the MARFORPAC marching and rock bands perform outside, the students went into the hall and split into sections based on their instruments, where Marines worked with individual students. The Marines helped the students work on their concert music, after which, the band sections came together for a full-band rehearsal.

Staff Sgt. Jerry Williams, the band’s action officer for the event, said that multiple military bands participate in such events, but this past event was slightly different.

“Last week was special because we usually travel to conduct these events,” Williams said. “In this case, they (had) the opportunity to see how we operate in our environment.”

Williams said he enjoyed visiting the various sections while they rehearsed and watching his Marines in action.

“I love seeing them engaging and imparting their knowledge to the next generation of musicians,” Williams said. “I believe that (the Marines) do (enjoy their time with the kids), because it’s very gratifying to (pass on) knowledge and to see and hear an immediate improvement in a young person’s musicianship.”

Lynn Muramaru, the beginning and intermediate-level concert band teacher at Iolani said that it’s nice for the students to learn from another source.

“Some of the students have the chance to get one-on-one instruction because the band members seem to enjoy having the chance to work with the students,” Muramaru said.

She said every one of her students appreciated the band’s mentorship.

“For most of these kids, this is their first experience, so everything is such a treat for them,” Muramaru said. “One student even asked me if we could do this every day because it was so great. They really roll out the red carpet for us and treat us so well. The Marines enjoy working with the students and I know it’s good for them to practice their teaching skills.”

Muramaru also said this is a great way for students to learn from more experienced musicians.

On the bus ride back, everyone was bubbling with conversation about the event,” Muramaru said. “The students came to class the next day still (excited) from having such a positive experience. They learned a lot and demonstrated their skills in rehearsal.”

Shane Severino, a flute player with the Iolani School band, said the Marines were really helpful when it came to learning more about their instruments.

“(The Marines) helped me with my technique and finger positioning,” Severino said. “They helped with things that would make playing an instrument easier or make it sound better. For example, I asked them how to practice vibrato – which is when you pulse the note’s sound – and they gave me an exercise I could do that would eventually help develop that technique.”

Severino said he would recommend that other music students also visit the band.

“We were able to ask the Marines questions and get a lot of help from them,” Severino said. “We got to learn from people who are experienced at playing their instrument and we also got to hear them as a whole – we saw what we could become if we worked hard enough.”

 


Marine Corps Base Hawaii