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Marine Band Members
Master Sergeant Karl Johnson, "The President's Own" United States Marine Band Bass Trombonist, Official Portrait
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Bass Trombone
Master Gunnery Sgt. Karl Johnson

Bass Trombonist Master Gunnery Sergeant Karl Johnson of Federal Way, Wash., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2000.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Johnson began his musical training at age 10. After graduating from Federal Way High School in 1992, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 1998 from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he studied with Daniel Bachelder of BYU and Russell McKinney of the Utah Symphony. In 2000, he earned a master’s degree from The Juilliard School in New York where he studied with Donald Harwood of the New York Philharmonic.   

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Gunnery Sgt. Johnson recorded music for television and motion pictures and substituted with Natalie Cole, the Canadian Brass, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Harry James Orchestra.

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

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