In 2011 and 2012, the Navy Band Brass Quartet did a couple of presentations focusing on the diversity in the U.S. Navy and in the Navy Band program. We presented a program about our Hispanic heritage at a local school. This was the music we prepared:

• Ritchie Valens, La Bamba
• Robert Russell Bennett, Farragut
• Joseíto Fernández, Guantanamera
• Antonio Romero Monge, Macarena
• Cayetano Alberto Silva, San Lorenzo March
• Jaime Teixidor, Amparito roca

We had teachers and students all dancing the Macarena at the end of this program–it was so fun to get that reaction, because brass quartets don’t usually get people dancing.

On February 17, 2012, we collaborated with Cory Parker to present a Black History Month program. This was a big challenge for all of us, but it was a meaningful project.

Our program was the following:

• Alton Adams, Spirit of the USN and The Governor’s Own
• William Grant Still, The Negro Speaks of Rivers
• Wade in the Water
• Clark Terry, One Foot in the Gutter
• John Coltrane, Impressions

Here’s a video presentation the U.S. Navy Band did summarize this program.