John Philip Sousa first served in the Marine Band as an apprentice musician from ages 13-20. Following his enlistment, he worked as a conductor and composer in Philadelphia until 1880, when at the age of only 25 he was called back by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to serve as the United StatesMarine Band’s 17th Director. During the next 12 years, Sousa embarked on a musical odyssey that simultaneously transformed “The President’s Own” from a local military band into a world-renowned musical organization and transformed himselfinto a national celebrity and “The March King.” This concert traces Sousa’s career as Marine Band Director and highlights some of the music and events that shaped his famous tenure. Much of the music featured on this program came from Sousa’s pen during his years as Director, and all was performed with the band during his time on the podium of “The President’s Own.” The concert is free, and no tickets are required. - January 7, 2018, 2 pm, George Mason Center for the Arts: John Philip Sousa first served in the Marine Band as an apprentice musician from ages 13-20. Following his enlistment, he worked as a conductor and composer in Philadelphia until 1880, when at the age of only 25 he was called back by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to serve as the United States Marine Band’s 17th Director. During the next 12 years, Sousa embarked on a musical odyssey that simultaneously transformed “The President’s Own” from a local military band into a world-renowned musical organization and transformed himself into a national celebrity and “The March King.” This concert traces Sousa’s career as Marine Band Director and highlights some of the music and events that shaped his famous tenure. Much of the music featured on this program came from Sousa’s pen during his years as Director, and all was performed with the band during his time on the podium of “The President’s Own.” The concert is free, and no tickets are required.

A Marine Big Band formed by members of "The President's Own" will perform a holiday concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons/released) - A Marine Big Band formed by members of "The President's Own" will perform a holiday concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Bowie Center for Performing Arts in Bowie, Md. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons/released)

Marine Band Director Jason K. Fettig talks about the band's educational recording, Arioso. - Marine Band Director Jason K. Fettig talks about the band's educational recording, Arioso.

Legendary composer John Williams guest conducted the Marine Band on its 205th birthday July 11, 2003, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Gunnery Sgt. Ret. Andrew Linden) - Legendary composer John Williams guest conducted the Marine Band on its 205th birthday July 11, 2003, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Gunnery Sgt. Ret. Andrew Linden)

Fall Chamber Series Concerts: Oct. 22 & 29 - "The President's Own" will perform Fall Chamber Series concerts at 2 p.m. (EDT), Sunday, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex, located at 7th & K Streets, SE, in Washington, D.C. Oct. 22 - The concert will feature music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Louis Andriessen, Pierre Gabaye, David Popper, and Bela Bartok. Oct. 29 - The concert will feature music by Eric Ewazen, Aaron Copland, Jarryd Elias, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Free parking is available under the overpass on 7th Street and the concert will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Fall Chamber Series Concerts: Oct. 22 & 29 - "The President's Own" will perform Fall Chamber Series concerts at 2 p.m. (EDT), Sunday, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex, located at 7th & K Streets, SE, in Washington, D.C. Oct. 22 - The concert will feature music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Louis Andriessen, Pierre Gabaye, David Popper, and Bela Bartok. Oct. 29 - The concert will feature music by Eric Ewazen, Aaron Copland, Jarryd Elias, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Free parking is available under the overpass on 7th Street and the concert will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Fall Chamber Series Concerts: Oct. 8 & 15 - "The President's Own" will perform Fall Chamber Series concerts at 2 p.m. (EDT), Sunday, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex, located at 7th & K Streets, SE, in Washington, D.C. Oct. 8 - The concert will feature music by Antonio Vivaldi, Paul Bonneau, Carlos Gardel, Nathan Daughtrey, Robert Muczynski, Johann Sebastian Bach. Oct. 15 - The concert will feature music by Georg Christoph Wagenseil, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Steven Simpson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Free parking is available under the overpass on 7th Street and the concert will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Fall Chamber Series Concerts: Oct. 8 & 15 - "The President's Own" will perform Fall Chamber Series concerts at 2 p.m. (EDT), Sunday, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15, in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex, located at 7th & K Streets, SE, in Washington, D.C. Oct. 8 - The concert will feature music by Antonio Vivaldi, Paul Bonneau, Carlos Gardel, Nathan Daughtrey, Robert Muczynski, Johann Sebastian Bach. Oct. 15 - The concert will feature music by Georg Christoph Wagenseil, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Steven Simpson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Free parking is available under the overpass on 7th Street and the concert will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Marine Band Tour Soloists - Marine Band Tour Soloists

Educational Resources - Educational Resources