MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band conducted its final performance of the summer concert series at Mololani Park, Aug. 23, 2013.
The cool evening breeze rolled off the ocean over the Marine Corps Base Hawaii community at Mololani Park, while the MarForPac Band took their position on stage.
Before the third and fi nal concert started, Marines tuned their instruments and waited for the audience to unfold their chairs and blankets so they could sit and relax during the show. Children were free to run around the park and dance to the music in front of the stage.
The band played a variety of genres, all family oriented and patriotic. “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Hawaii Ponoi” kicked off the night.
“I always enjoy learning and playing new pieces of music,” said Cpl. Brian Navin, 24, a trumpet player for the MarForPac Band and Enfi eld, Conn., native. “I think people enjoy hearing new music we play and it’s always interesting to see how the audience reacts to new pieces.”
They played contemporary music including Bruno Mars' hit songs “When I Was Your Man” and “Locked Out of Heaven,” entirely instrumental. Instead of vocals, a saxophone player stepped up to lead the melody.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael J. Smith, principal director for the MarForPac Band, challenged the audience to recognize each Bruno Mars song.
The musicians threw a creative twist in the night when they displayed their version of the Blue Man Group called the “Green Man Group." A trio of Marines painted their faces and dressed in all green while playing the “Drumbone.”
The “Drumbone” is a combination of a trombone and a drum, but is made out of polyvinyl chloride piping, or PVC piping as used by their blue performing counterparts. Sound was made and altered by a Marine with drumsticks, which he used to hit a portion of the pipe. The other two Marines would add or move other parts the instrument to change the pitch of sound made when drumsticks struck the pipe.
The Green Man Group wrapped up their act just in time for evening colors. The audience and band rose in respect for the colors being lowered for the night.
When evening colors is played the fl ag is brought down meaning the sun is about to set over the horizon and the day is near its end. The audience did much of the same and eased back into their seats to enjoy the end of the show.
Chief Master Sgt. Laura Noel, a vocalist and the band manager of the U.S, Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, went on stage to sing “God Bless America” accompanied by the MarForPac Band.
The last performance of the evening was none other than the “Marine Corps Hymn.”
Smith thanked everyone for attending the final concert of the season and bade them farewell until next year. For more information, including future show times, visit the MarForPac Band Facebook page.