Bassoonist Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher McFarlane of Williamsville, N.Y., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in March 1994. He was appointed principal bassoon in 2010.

Master Gunnery Sgt. McFarlane began his musical instruction at age 9. After graduating from Williamsville South High School in 1986, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington 1990 and a master’s degree in music 1993 from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. He studied with Timothy McGovern of the University of Illinois, William Ludwig of LSU, Bernard Garfield of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Sidney Rosenberg of IU. 

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” he performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony in Louisiana.

Master Gunnery Sgt. McFarlane performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.