HONOLULU -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band showcased an array of musical pieces during “A Spring Celebration” concert at the Hale Koa Hotel Luau Garden in Waikiki, March 1.
The concert was free and open to the public, giving anyone the chance to enjoy the band’s talents.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, principal director for the MarForPac Band, conducted music from several genres of music by composers such as Stephen Schwartz, Alfred Reed and Benoit Jutras.
Several of the songs targeted the springtime and patriotism: “The Hounds of Spring,” “Irish Tune from County Derry,” “The Irish Washerwoman,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful” and “Armed Forces Medley.”
“We catered toward the celebration of the springtime,” Smith said. “Irish songs are great because when an audience hears it, they can imagine spacious green meadows that are easily related to spring.”
Local residents, veterans and tourists packed into the garden to hear the band play selections from “Wicked,” “The Lord of the Rings” and Cirque du Soleil.
The military hymns drew the most applause from the audience. Smith asked the attendees to stand up when they heard the hymn for the branch they belonged to.
“It’s always great to get out into the community and play for people who truly appreciate what we do,” said Sgt. William Baumann, piano player for the MarForPac Band. “People can relax and relate to memories from the past and have a chance to live vicariously through the music we play.”
During the playing of each branch’s hymn, several people stood to show their pride. They clapped to the beat of their hymn with smiles and laughter.
Motivated ooh-rahs, hooahs and other branch-specific chants were heard throughout each hymn.
The very last song played after the branch hymns was “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Shortly after the concert ended, fireworks shot off over Waikiki Beach for the icing on the musical cake. Waikiki Beach is directly behind the garden and was the perfect spot to see the fireworks.
“We are having more and more people attend concerts free to the public,” Smith said. “Whether it’s one person or one thousand people, we will put on the best performance possible.”
The MarForPac Band will be marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17 and the Prince Kuhio Commemorative Parade on March 23.
For more information, contact the MarForPac Band Hall front desk at 257-7440.