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CAMP FOSTER, Japan – Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band entertained the audience with holiday music and a play during their annual Holiday Concert Dec. 14 and 15 at the Camp Foster Theater.
The band has conducted the annual concert for more than 10 years, but its routine changes with each concert, according to Chief Warrant Officer Forest Brown, the III MEF Band officer in charge. The musicians are always trying to find new ways to entertain the crowd.
This year, the Marines integrated a different routine but made sure to incorporate the traditional music expected from any Marine band.
"We incorporated some comical events for the children, as well as the traditional holiday music for the parents," Brown said. "That way there's something for everyone."
The performance included a unique version of the play 'A Christmas Carol,' which included characters such as Napoleon Dynamite, Captain Jack Sparrow, Harry Potter, Darth Maul and Santa Claus.
"It was really cool to see them bring characters that almost everyone would recognize into the show," said Lance Cpl. Audrey Graham, a combat photographer with Combat Camera, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. "The play had the same theme, but the way they redid it made it funny too. The crowd really seemed to like it."
The concert also included a guest performance by Keely July, a former Marine musician who has performed regularly with the band. She sang 'Silent Night' for her final performance with the band.
"Keely's performance added an extra touch of elegance and emotion to the concert," said Sgt. Cody Bond, the saxophone section leader with the band. "It was great to be able to share the stage with her."
Bond also sang 'Belleau Wood,' originally composed by Garth Brooks.
"I've never seen the attendance that we had this year," said Bond. "We got an awesome response from the crowd."
The band members put a lot of effort into ensuring that the crowd enjoyed the show.
"Whether there was two people in attendance or maximum capacity, we wanted to make deliver a performance that could be enjoyed by all," Brown said.
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2007 01:13 |
| Story ID: | 14902 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 247 |
| Downloads: | 225 |
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