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Joining Forces in Harmony

  • Published
  • By SSgt Courtney Clifford
  • Band of the Pacific-Hawaii
July 4, 2013 --  With our military becoming more joint in nature, military bands are no exception to this trend. On Independence Day, the Navy Pacific Fleet Band and the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Hawaii teamed up to put on a high-energy concert to celebrate our Nation's independence for Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam's 4th of July Beachfest, sponsored by Joint Base MWR.

Long before the first note was played on the 4th, much planning and rehearsing was needed, a difficult task during the busy summer concert season. The two groups worked cohesively to create a new musical product, with group leaders MUC Scott Helwig and Master Sergeant Darryl McEachin working out arrangements and rehearsing the 15-person group. The groups each played an hour-long set then combined at the end. Highlights of the joint band were an Earth, Wind, and Fire Medley Featuring vocalists MSgt Lara Murdzia, SSgt Courtney Clifford, SrA Devin Rivas Martin and MU3 (SW) Stephen Lamonica, Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors", and Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".

The event was attended by 2,500 military and civilians of Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. There were activities for children (games, balloon art, face painting), food vendors, jet pack demonstrations, stand up paddle boarding, and boat tours of Hickam Harbor.