THE United States (US) 7th Fleet Band recently played to packed audiences in some of the leading Metro Manila malls.
The visit to the Philippines was done in close cooperation with the US Embassy. The 7th Fleet Band brought its Pacific Ambassadors group to Metro Manila and played back to back with the Philippine Navy Band.
US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski said the visit was aimed at spreading the goodwill between the two countries.
“The band is here to share good music. We all love good music. They are a good band that can perform all kinds of music,” Klecheski said.
For his part, 7th Fleet Bandmaster Lt. Brian C. Chaplow said they are making the rounds of countries in the Asia-Pacific region with varying setlists, which they hope the audience will enjoy.
“It is a collaborative effort. We come out with ideas. We look at the country we are visiting and see what local songs we can also sing,” Chaplow said.
For their Metro Manila performances, the 7th Fleet went from one era to another as it played the Glen Miller Orchestra’s “In The Mood” to Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and all the way to Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie.”
Along the way, the band also performed original Pilipino music favorites “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino; and Side A’s “Forevermore.”
To cap the performance, vocalists Musician 3rd Class Emily Kershaw and Musician 3rd Class Daniel Park collaborated with Philippine Navy Apprentice Seaman Musician April Anne Malimban and Jose Alfonso Fernandez II for their own rendition of the Mark Ronson hit “Uptown Funk.”
The Philippine Navy, which opened the free concert, had Petty Officer 2nd Class Raymond Gonzales as its conductor and went through a setlist that included Rey Valera’s “Kahit Maputi Na Buhok Ko,” ABBA and Regine Velasquez medleys, and Michael Bolton’s “Go the Distance.”
The 7th Fleet Band, which operates from Japan, was established in 1943. It provides musical support for ships, military bases, foreign dignitaries and community-relations’ events throughout the Western Pacific.
The Philippine Navy Band was established in 1949 and has been performing its own rendition of classical to pop music in various events across the country.