Int’l percussionist, music conductor visits Manta Band

Well-known music conductor and international percussionist Atsushi Ozawa was on island last week to visit members of Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Band.

SSHS Manta Band members were excited to attend last Saturday’s lessons with the master conductor. It was, however, a feeling also shared by Ozawa who first took notice of the group during the recent Tumon Bay Music Festival.

“This is my first time on Saipan…and I am so excited to visit these kids. They’re so amazing!” he told Saipan Tribune.

Since arriving Wednesday, Ozawa already conducted three clinics for the Manta Band members. He also extended a 90-minute clinic to the young musicians of Saipan Community School Thursday.

Ozawa recalled how the Manta Band surprised spectators at the Tumon Bay Music Festival.

Being the event’s adjudicator since the beginning, Ozawa admitted seeing something special from the group.

“They play exciting music with so much passion. People love to hear their gentle and expressive sounds. For me, the Manta Band is one of the hottest groups that can make a big difference in music! I hope to hear more beautiful sounds from them,” Ozawa said, adding that this was also the reason he wants to help and assist the members in developing and enhancing their skills.

SSHS has been holding the prestigious Tumon Bay Music Festival Sweepstakes Trophy for two years and had dominated the event early this year.

According to Will DeWitt, the Manta Band conductor and music director, the visit of the master conductor and well-known percussionist was an experience they will never forget.

“This is the best thing that ever happened in the eight years of the program. The result of this is very far reaching,” said DeWitt.

He said he is grateful to Ozawa for imparting his knowledge to him and his wards.

“As a music conductor myself, I have learned a lot and I can say that I’ve learned more from him than the many classes I have in my four-year college course. He’s truly amazing and I thank him.”

DeWitt lauded Ozawa for keeping and maintaining the “strong connection” with the Manta Band members.

He said after the music festival in Guam, the master conductor has been exchanging e-mails and correspondences with his students.

For freshman student Anna Rose De Leon Guerrero, the visit of the music expert is an experience she will always remember.

“I was so excited! I have so much fun meeting him,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to see Ozawa in next year’s music festival.

De Leon Guerrero plays the trombone for the Manta Band.

Trini MacDuff, who has been at the festival for two years, said she’s always excited of the event.

“With all the new techniques from the maestro, it would help us in our performance. I am so happy to see him and played music together,” said MacDuff, who plays the flute for the band.

Besides dominating the music festival for two years, the Manta Band also performed in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Ozawa has been in the music industry for two decades. He studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and was involved in various musical organizations, including the professional group of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra in Thailand.

In numerous occasions, he also traveled to the United States to impart his musical skills with the young musicians among these are Las Vegas, Texas, and the Nevada University.

Though he admitted having more opportunities to work with professionals, Ozawa said it is his ultimate goal to inspire and share his talents with young and amateur performers.