[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATING THE GUAM TERRITORIAL BAND

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                     HON. MICHAEL F. Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2019

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Guam 
Territorial Band for taking home a Gold Award in the 2019 Australian 
International Music Festival held in Sydney, Australia.
  The Guam Territorial Band was organized in 1976 as the Governor's 
Youth Band to perform for the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 
1977. The band continues its service to the people of Guam as the 
Official Band of Guam by performing at graduations, military events, 
national holiday ceremonies, official visits, village fiestas, local 
government functions, and numerous venues in Guam, the United States, 
and abroad. The Guam Territorial Band is led by Chief Band Master 
Maximo Ronquillo, Jr., and the Regional Band Masters, Joanne Matanane 
Sosa and William Brandon Aydlett.
  The Guam Territorial Band has educational programs for aspiring 
musicians to gain experience and training. The Guam Honor Band Program 
provides middle and high school students opportunities to develop their 
musical talents. For more advanced musicians, the Guam Band Academy 
offers in-depth training in music theory, marching band, solo 
performance, and small ensemble performance under the Chief Band 
Master.
  In the 2019 Australian International Music Festival, the Guam 
Territorial Band was a Command Performance Band and received a Gold 
Award. The Australian International Music Festival is among the largest 
music festivals in the southern hemisphere, receiving participation 
from 62 ensembles and over 1,300 participants in 2019. The Guam 
Territorial Band has previously received numerous honors and awards, 
including being a Command Performance Band and received Gold Awards in 
the 2005 and 2014 Australian International Music Festivals, 
respectively.
  On behalf of the people of Guam, I want to congratulate the Guam 
Territorial Band for their success in the 2019 Australian International 
Music Festival. They continue to demonstrate outstanding musicianship 
in Guam, the United States, and abroad.

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