PCC Rock Creek Campus Gets Rocked…by The Navy Band NW

PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES

04.15.2019

Story by Marc Knutson 

Commander, Navy Recruiting Command

By: Marc Knutson, PAO, NTAG Portland, Ore.

A mild temblor rolled through the western campus of Portland Community College at Rock Creek on Thursday, April 11. Only the temblor wasn’t from earth movements, it was generated by the reverberant sounds of the U.S. Navy Band Northwest. Calling itself ‘Passage’, the band performed before approximately 150 responsive college students. The lead vocalist, MU3 Brent Mitchell was a crowd favorite, and really drew a rousing applause when he momentarily left the stage to retrieve his saxophone. When he reappeared, sax in hand, the crowd, not even hearing a note come from the instrument, surprised even Mitchell with a welcoming applause.
Because of commitments of the venue, the performance set was shortened and the band opened the auditorium to a question and answer session.
The students asked questions that ranged from what requirements did they have to have to join the Navy Band, to what was daily life like in the Navy, as a musician? However, the highlight of the audience Q & A session was when a student offered a comparison of ‘Passage’ to the ‘Beach Boys’. Which drew an instant, and unanimous, crowd applause. That same student also said that ‘Passage’ was a great example and were “role models”. The band was humbled and appreciative for the comparison and the encouraging words.
At the conclusion of the lively Q & A session, the enthralled audience wouldn’t let the band leave just yet. In fact, they acted, almost demanded, in one accord, that the band play a final song. With a bit of hesitation, knowing they needed time to breakdown their equipment, they finally acceded to the crowd’s demand and agreed to play one more song. As soon as the first few notes rolled off the strings of the lead guitar, and the audience got a hint that “Shut Up and Dance,” by Walk the Moon was on tap, an immediate applause filled the air from a grateful audience.
While temblors are usually measured on a seismic sensor, the group ‘Passage’ rocked Rock Creek campus on a different scale – off the chart!

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• Date Taken: 04.15.2019
• Date Posted: 04.15.2019 17:13
• Story ID: 318209
• Location: PORTLAND, OR, US