As the first note sounded, the background illuminated to convey the feeling the music expressed.

This was the scene at the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band's annual concert held at the Okinawa Convention Center, June 26.

The theme of the concert was "Music from the Heavens," featuring various cosmic selections such as "In Heaven's Air" and "Moonlight Sonata."

"I think our music lets the listeners use their imagination and gives them inspiration from above as our theme suggests," said Cpl. Joseph Foster, a trumpet section leader with the III MEF Band.

"I want the audience to walk away from this concert singing these songs or humming the melody for days to come," Foster said.

"The music we play helps uplift emotions and lets the audience reflect in the good times," added Sgt. Williams Nelson, a bassoon player with the band.

The audience was captivated by the assorted illustrations that illuminated the background as the band played each selection.

"Each selection, in turn, has its own theme to it," said Chief Warrant Officer Forest Brown, director and officer in charge of the band.

"The piece called 'The Prayer' has a theme of hope to it and is written to give people a sense of hope," Brown said.

This concert marked Brown's last, as he will assume the duties as the director and officer in charge of the 2nd Marine Division Band, in Camp Lejeune, N.C., this August.

The concert also featured vocalists who sang a few selections along with the instrumentals of the band.

"Vocalists give the ears a rest from the instrumentals being played by the band," said Brown.

"I push to have more vocals in the music I conduct to give the concert a different spice about it. The key element is to have a well-rounded band.

"If it were up to me, I would elect a vocalist military occupational specialty. It would provide a larger variety of music that can be performed," Brown said.

Byron Jones, a vocalist who participated in the concert, was impressed with the hard work and dedication the Marines put into practicing and rehearsing for the concert.

"The Marines are professionals in all they do," said Jones, an inter-cultural instructor with the Ryukyu International Relations Association. "They really practice how they perform."

The band started their day off at 5 a.m., loading all of their equipment on the bus - destination Okinawa Convention Center - where they set up and underwent many practices and technical rehearsals prior to the evenings performance.

"We practiced our parts in groups and sections to help us familiarize ourselves with our parts," said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Delgado, a clarinet and saxophone player with the band.

"I personally practiced about an hour to an hour-and-a-half every day after work," said Delgado.

Being able to listen to the original recording and interpret the music helped the band better learn their parts, said Cpl. Walter Neira, a baritone saxophone player with the band.

"The Marines did outstandingly well considering how extremely busy they've been with all the ceremonies and changes of command going on," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Michael Montoya, bandmaster of the III MEF Band.

"Chief Warrant Officer Brown went out with a bang. My best wishes to him at his new duty station," Montoya said.

The audience applauded as Brown concluded his last concert here on Okinawa before handing the baton to Chief Warrant Officer Stephen B. Giove.

"Giove took the baton and led the band in their final performance consisting of The Stars and Stripes Forever, Semper Fidelis and The Marines' Hymn.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be taking over as the new band director," said Giove. "I hope to uphold the good reputation of this organization."