TORII STATION, OKINAWA , JAPAN — April 14, 2006 — DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam will sponsor the 27th Far East Honors Music Festival at Kubasaki High School, Camp Butler, Okinawa April 24-28.

Approximately 160 student musicians, from the 13 DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam high schools, have successfully completed a highly competitive audition process which began in December of 2005. This audition, in the form of an individual audio recording, was adjudicated by judges not associated with the competing schools. The instrumental recordings were judged by members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, stationed on Okinawa. The vocal recordings were judged by music educators from elementary schools in the DoDDS Okinawa and Japan districts.

The selected student musicians will rehearse four full days readying pre-selected music for a culminating concert performance on Friday, 28 April. This concert will be held at the Kubasaki High School auditorium beginning at 7:00 PM. Admission is free and the public is heartily invited to attend and experience the outstanding musicianship of these selected students from throughout the DoDDS-Pacific/ DDESS-Guam area.

“We are very proud of these students and their commitment and dedication to music.  Their talent and abilities inspire us and I wish to acknowledge the support from the administrators, teachers, and parents whose devotion serves as the key ingredient for their success.  I also want to recognize the support we receive from the Okinawa district for hosting this incredible program,” said Dr. Nancy Bresell, Director DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam.