GUAM TERRITORIAL BAND BIOGRAPHY
A HISTORY OF THE GUAM TERRITORIAL BAND
In 1976, the Governor's Youth Band was organized as a marching band to perform for the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Since then, the band has been an active part of musical life on Guam providing a service to the community. The Guam Territorial Band, as it is now known, is the Official Band of Guam.
The band continues its service to the People of Guam by performing at Graduations, Military Events, National Holiday Ceremonies, Official Visits, Village Fiestas, and at numerous venues at home and abroad. Moreover, GTB performs an anniversary concert in November and several public concerts during the summer and Christmas season – many of them free and open to the public.
The Band also serves as an educational outreach for those who desire more than what their school band programs provide. The Guam Honor Band Program focuses on enhancing band experiences for Middle School and High School students seeking performance opportunities of more challenging works outside of their normal school band. Two divisions with different levels of experience were formed to assist in choosing appropriate repertoire.
For more serious musicians, the Guam Band Academy offers in depth training in music theory, marching band, solo performance, and small ensembe performance, to name a few. Membership in the Academy is open to all age 30 and under, with the Chief Band Master as Head of Instruction.
GTB prides itself on being a family. It has become a second home to many of the youth members through the years and has served as an anchor for those who experience the trials of teenage and college life. Many of youth continue on to become island and national leaders, and we are proud of being part of their development.
Generally speaking, the membership of the band spans a vast age range from early adolescence through senior citizens. Each fall, an audition is held to maintain the high quality of musicianship for which the Guam Territorial Band is renowned. New members are welcome at anytime through the year, and all are asked to join the regional band in which their village is serviced.
In 1976, the Governor's Youth Band was organized as a marching band to perform for the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Since then, the band has been an active part of musical life on Guam providing a service to the community. The Guam Territorial Band, as it is now known, is the Official Band of Guam.
The band continues its service to the People of Guam by performing at Graduations, Military Events, National Holiday Ceremonies, Official Visits, Village Fiestas, and at numerous venues at home and abroad. Moreover, GTB performs an anniversary concert in November and several public concerts during the summer and Christmas season – many of them free and open to the public.
The Band also serves as an educational outreach for those who desire more than what their school band programs provide. The Guam Honor Band Program focuses on enhancing band experiences for Middle School and High School students seeking performance opportunities of more challenging works outside of their normal school band. Two divisions with different levels of experience were formed to assist in choosing appropriate repertoire.
For more serious musicians, the Guam Band Academy offers in depth training in music theory, marching band, solo performance, and small ensembe performance, to name a few. Membership in the Academy is open to all age 30 and under, with the Chief Band Master as Head of Instruction.
GTB prides itself on being a family. It has become a second home to many of the youth members through the years and has served as an anchor for those who experience the trials of teenage and college life. Many of youth continue on to become island and national leaders, and we are proud of being part of their development.
Generally speaking, the membership of the band spans a vast age range from early adolescence through senior citizens. Each fall, an audition is held to maintain the high quality of musicianship for which the Guam Territorial Band is renowned. New members are welcome at anytime through the year, and all are asked to join the regional band in which their village is serviced.
GTB DISTINCTIONS & HONORS
OFFICIAL VISITS
The Band has had the distinct honor of performing for many heads of state and elected officials including:
1986 -- President Ronald Regan
1997 – President Kuniwo Nakamura, Republic of Palau
1998 – President William Jefferson Clinton
2002 – President Fidel Ramos, Republic of the Philippines
2012 – Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court of the United States
OFFICIAL TOURS
Washington D. C. – 1976
CNMI – c. 1980
New Zealand – 1993
Melbourne, Australia - 2019
Sydney, Australia - 1993, 2005, 2014, 2019
South Korea – 1995
The Republic of Palau – 1997
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland) – 1998
Yaizu City, Japan – 1999
Yokosuka, Japan - 2003
New York City – 2007, 2012, 2017
Toronto – 2007
Beijing & Shanghai - 2008
Elizabeth City, North Carolina – 2012, 2017
Gamagori, Japan - 2014, 2016, 2018
HONORS AND AWARDS
1998 – 2nd Place – Marching Unit Category Lions Parade (UK)
2003 – Ambassadors-At-Large for Guam
2005 – Gold Award – Sydney Opera House
2007 – Silver Award – Carnegie Hall
2008 – Guam Delegation – Beijing Olympic Band
2012 – Showcase Ensemble – Carnegie Hall
2014 – Gold Award – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2014 – Command Performance – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2017 – Gold Award – Carnegie Hall
2019 – Gold Award – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2019 – Command Performance – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
The Band has had the distinct honor of performing for many heads of state and elected officials including:
1986 -- President Ronald Regan
1997 – President Kuniwo Nakamura, Republic of Palau
1998 – President William Jefferson Clinton
2002 – President Fidel Ramos, Republic of the Philippines
2012 – Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court of the United States
OFFICIAL TOURS
Washington D. C. – 1976
CNMI – c. 1980
New Zealand – 1993
Melbourne, Australia - 2019
Sydney, Australia - 1993, 2005, 2014, 2019
South Korea – 1995
The Republic of Palau – 1997
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland) – 1998
Yaizu City, Japan – 1999
Yokosuka, Japan - 2003
New York City – 2007, 2012, 2017
Toronto – 2007
Beijing & Shanghai - 2008
Elizabeth City, North Carolina – 2012, 2017
Gamagori, Japan - 2014, 2016, 2018
HONORS AND AWARDS
1998 – 2nd Place – Marching Unit Category Lions Parade (UK)
2003 – Ambassadors-At-Large for Guam
2005 – Gold Award – Sydney Opera House
2007 – Silver Award – Carnegie Hall
2008 – Guam Delegation – Beijing Olympic Band
2012 – Showcase Ensemble – Carnegie Hall
2014 – Gold Award – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2014 – Command Performance – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2017 – Gold Award – Carnegie Hall
2019 – Gold Award – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia
2019 – Command Performance – International Music Festival – Sydney, Australia