Maximo Ronquillo Jr.
Maximo Ronquillo, Jr., affectionately Max, is a Filipino-American music educator and bandmaster for the US territory island of Guam. He served as the 8th Chief Band Master/Music Director of the Guam Territorial Band - Official Band of Guam, USA from 2001 until his retirement from the band in 2019. In 2005, he founded the Tumon Bay Music Festival - the region's largest music event. This 10-day event is held every March and draws hundreds of artists and thousands of audience members from the Asia-Pacific region. In 2017, he co-founded the Guam Philharmonic Foundation, Incorporated - a new music nonprofit to help elevate the music and arts community in Guam. He currently serves as the interim resident conductor for TBYO.
As a conductor, Mr. Ronquillo has appeared in concert at many exotic venues worldwide including Manhattan's Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Tian An Men Square. He has guest conducted for Oahu's Central District Band Festival, The US Army Japan Band and the Northern Virginia Community College Band.
A proud Army veteran, Max was integral in the establishment of the 721st Army Band - Guam Army National Guard where he has the historic honor of being the organization’s first band member and first commander/bandmaster culminating his military career at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3.
In August 2019, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero tapped on Mr. Ronquillo to serve on the board of the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities Agency. He was recently reappointed in January 2021 to serve another 4-year term. He is currently the Board Vice Chair.
Max was awarded an honorary doctorate for his founding of the Tumon Bay Music Festival and over two decades of community volunteerism in making music and music education accessible to many in the Marianas. Additionally, he was also awarded the Gawid Ulirang Pilipino Award by the Filipino Community of Guam in 2015.
Mr. Ronquillo has been a music educator for the Guam Department of Education since 2003. He is currently the band director at both Okkodo High School and Tiyan High School where he is rebuilding these programs from the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In July 2023, Max was appointed a music minister for the Episcopal Church of Saint John the Divine. He invites all who are looking for a spiritual and musical home to join him on Sunday mornings (10am). All are welcome! Max is a proud dog dad to his two adorable yorkies – Noah and Allee.
Maximo Ronquillo, Jr., affectionately Max, is a Filipino-American music educator and bandmaster for the US territory island of Guam. He served as the 8th Chief Band Master/Music Director of the Guam Territorial Band - Official Band of Guam, USA from 2001 until his retirement from the band in 2019. In 2005, he founded the Tumon Bay Music Festival - the region's largest music event. This 10-day event is held every March and draws hundreds of artists and thousands of audience members from the Asia-Pacific region. In 2017, he co-founded the Guam Philharmonic Foundation, Incorporated - a new music nonprofit to help elevate the music and arts community in Guam. He currently serves as the interim resident conductor for TBYO.
As a conductor, Mr. Ronquillo has appeared in concert at many exotic venues worldwide including Manhattan's Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Tian An Men Square. He has guest conducted for Oahu's Central District Band Festival, The US Army Japan Band and the Northern Virginia Community College Band.
A proud Army veteran, Max was integral in the establishment of the 721st Army Band - Guam Army National Guard where he has the historic honor of being the organization’s first band member and first commander/bandmaster culminating his military career at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3.
In August 2019, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero tapped on Mr. Ronquillo to serve on the board of the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities Agency. He was recently reappointed in January 2021 to serve another 4-year term. He is currently the Board Vice Chair.
Max was awarded an honorary doctorate for his founding of the Tumon Bay Music Festival and over two decades of community volunteerism in making music and music education accessible to many in the Marianas. Additionally, he was also awarded the Gawid Ulirang Pilipino Award by the Filipino Community of Guam in 2015.
Mr. Ronquillo has been a music educator for the Guam Department of Education since 2003. He is currently the band director at both Okkodo High School and Tiyan High School where he is rebuilding these programs from the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In July 2023, Max was appointed a music minister for the Episcopal Church of Saint John the Divine. He invites all who are looking for a spiritual and musical home to join him on Sunday mornings (10am). All are welcome! Max is a proud dog dad to his two adorable yorkies – Noah and Allee.