Photo By Sgt. Alvin Pujols | The California Center for the Arts hosts the 1st Marine Division Band in Escondido,...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The 1st Marine Division Band performed at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, Calif., Feb. 11 and 12, 2015. The performance displayed the Marine Corps’ commitment to musical excellence and to the community.
The band’s main mission is to provide support for military parades and ceremonies, committing to more than 300 performances annually. While refining their instrumental techniques and preparing for their engagements, the Marines of the 1st Marine Division Band still maintain the responsibilities of being riflemen.
Gunnery Sgt. Tracy L. Martinez, the enlisted conductor for the 1st Marine Division Band, chose an array of songs that displayed the evolution of wind band music for their annual concert. The songs ranged from “Second Suite in F,” by Gustav Holst, to “Can you Dig It?” from Iron Man 3, and concluded with the satirical number “Famishius Fantasticus,” by Michael Markowski.
“The Marines have been practicing four times a week for two hours,” said Staff Sgt. Victoria R. Ortiz, the assistant enlisted conductor for the 1st Marine Division Band. “After completing their duties as a deployable security platoon, the Marines then practice.”
The band becomes a security platoon when deployed, said Ortiz. The Marines train for perimeter security and convoy security because they are Marines first. Staying true to their motto, “every Marine a rifleman,” the band is ready to put down their instruments at a moment’s notice and serve in their combat role.
Gwenn Jensen, a volunteer for the California Center for the Arts, was thrilled by the performance.
“I come every year when the Marine band plays because I think it’s wonderful,” said Jenson. “I am amazed that only a few years ago these were kids in high school.”
Jensen comes not only for the performance but to see the community interact with the Marines.
The Marines looked forward to the concert so much that they built a unique instrument specifically for their final number, “Famishius Fantasticus.” Sgt. Andrew J. Dauphinias, a bassoonist with the 1st Marine Division Band, and Sgt. Mark A. Gajewski II, a percussionist with the 1st Marine Division Band, built a Mahler hammer, with which many are familiar from watching “Looney Tunes.”
“The song is satirical so we’re going to need this instrument,” said Dauphinias.
The Marines used the Mahler hammer to bring a specific sound and physical comedy to the number that was called for in the sheet music, said Gajewski.
After the performance, the band members met with the audience in the main hall of the California Center for the Arts for a reception with audience members and their families.
Although the band has many roles to fulfill, their dedication to musical excellence and community involvement continues to enhance their reputation as the “Pride of the Division.”
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.26.2015 13:19 |
| Story ID: | 155479 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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