MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Forty-eight children attended Books and Breakfast to hear a story and a performance by Marine Corps Base Quantico Band Jazz Ensemble at the base library on Friday.
The band played along as Yvonne Moron, library technician, Marine Corps Base Quantico Base Library, read “Mamma Don’t Allow.” Thatcher Hurd’s book about Miles, a saxophone player, and his Swamp Band who ran into some alligators that loved to listen to their music.
“Music and reading go hand in hand,” said Moron. “It brings a whole different energy to Books and Breakfast. The children aren’t as shy and really seem to enjoy it.”
The children aren’t the only ones who had fun, said Staff Sgt. Fritz Kern, guitarist and ensemble leader. The band always has a good time when performing for children.
“Every crowd we play for is different,” said Kern. “Children don’t care what you play or how you even play; they just want to hear the music and they always appreciate it.”
The band wasn’t concerned about the performance not going well.
The biggest concern they had was the volume in the room.
“Children seem to be a little more delicate when it comes to the volume,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Kyne, saxophone player. “If we see a lot of kids holding their hands up to their ears we adjust to that.”
The Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the next Books and Breakfast on Dec. 18 and it is open to all children five and under at no cost.