NYC NEWS FLASH!!!

SSHS Manta Ray Band won the Silver Award at the New York International Music Festival!

Just being selected as one of six(EDIT: the newspapers say five) schools to compete and perform at Carnegie Hall was a huge honor. Winning silver is incredible!

Congratulations Manta Ray Band and Mr. Will DeWitt. Thanks for all you've done and kudos for another amazing success!

Photo captured from Marianas Variety website.

First Photo from NYC

Another pre-dawn light rain. Dogs barking in the night. Crescent moon.
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Thanks to Rose Cuison Villazor who sent this photo of Anna Rose (flanked by Roseanna Sablan and Theszaray Omar).


I'm guessing this was before the show. (Strange hair, which in later years will be material for comedy, I'm sure!)

Manta Rays make news.

The arrival of the Saipan Southern High School Manta Ray Band in New York City has not gone unnoticed! PRI's The World (from BBC) has a short feature and interview with them.

Fumi and James make the photo! Naomi and Leagine get interviewed. Will DeWitt is in there too.

Photo by Mary Kay Magistad

Good content, too.

Manta, Manta, Manta--Ray, Ray, Ray.

The days are gradually lengthening. It's still light at 6:30 PM. We never have those long summer days experienced in the temperate zones--at most we'll get to light still at 7 PM or so, but it's still nice to notice the longer daylight. Also beautiful sunsets the past two days--not glorious, but simple sun sinking into the water and a gradual pink to gray sky.
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While other students enjoyed a day off on "Easter Monday," the SSHS Manta Ray Band had a 3 hour rehearsal--from 4 AM to 7 AM! They're working hard on their Carnegie Hall performance and testing the time adjustment, as well.

And it looks like they will be in good shape financially, as well. My gripe (wanting information about the amount raised and not only general cheeriness) was just a bit premature. This week, SSHS Principal Craig Garrison announced that, with the latest donation of $7,000 from Bridge Capital, the band has reached its goal, previously announced as $142,000, the estimated cost of the trip.

The band is still accepting donations, because the estimated fundraising goal is just that--an estimate, and the worry is that it may be too low or that unexpected expenses may crop up. So if you want to donate, (any amount!) you can make a check payable to Saipan Southern High School and in the memo box, write in Manta Ray Band.

The band leaves April 17, 2010 for its debut performance in New York City, first at Central Park, and then at Carnegie Halll.

Looking Forward-April in New York

Bright and sunny now. It rained yesterday morning and there was a lovely rainbow in the southwest. I saw a single yellow sulphur butterfly while driving on the road near NMC and remembered the past, when there would be clouds of them "crossing the road" at times.
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The SSHS Manta Ray Band is looking forward to springtime in New York City. They will be there from April 17 to April 21, 2010 to participate in the New York International Music Festival. They have a busy schedule in that short time.

Their two key performances will be on Monday (late morning/afternoon?) at Central Park bandshell and on Tuesday at 2 PM at Carnegie Hall. The second performance is an adjudicated event; if they do well (and we are hopefully confident and confidently hopeful), they may win awards, which will be presented after an 8 PM evening show performed by Stockton California musicians (the San Joaquin Delta College Symphonic Band and the Stockton Wind Ensemble).

If you are interested in tickets to the Carnegie Hall events (2 PM performance, evening awards), you can get tickets at the Carnegie Hall Box Office. No cost for the afternoon performance; $20 for the evening show.

A Chance to Support the Manta Band

Saipan Southern High School's Manta Ray Band is heading to NYC to perform at Carnegie Hall for the New York International Music Festival. They won the right to be on stage through their audition. But now they are desperately trying to raise the funds needed for the trip.

Come have fun and help them! This Saturday.



You can pledge for the band members joining the fun run (either by dollar amount or by the laps they run). [I'd be happy to take pledges! I know several of the students. Checks are made payable to SSHS with a notation in the memo part for Manta's Carnegie trip.]

You can come to the evening festival and spend your pocket money.

Please take this opportunity to help!


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We've been having perfect weather, but just now it's gone grey and looks a bit stormy. The bouganvillea is stunningly bright and beautiful, in full flower. There is plumeria in blossom and even a few Flame Trees already starting to show orange flowers.
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Addendum: If you'll be in New York City during April 2010, you might be interested in seeing the Manta Ray Band on stage at Carnegie Hall. Here's what I've found out about tickets, which are AVAILABLE NOW:

Performance Date – April 20, 2010
Performance Times! – 2:00pm EDIT: 8 PM show, but Manta Band will NOT be performing then.

Location – Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall

Cost – 2:00pm Adjudicated Performances - Ticketed but free of charge, obtain tickets at Carnegie Hall Box Office

Cost – 8:00pm Showcase Concert - $20.00 per person, obtain tickets at Carnegie Hall Box Office


How to get Ticket – Obtain tickets at Carnegie Hall box office
Box office info – http://www.carnegiehall.org/

Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Tickets released – February 15, 2010