Marine Barracks Annex, Washington, D.C. -- Summer is here, and “The President’s Own” has prepared a season packed with a lineup of concerts to be performed at fun locations around the Washington, D.C. area. Indoor, outdoor and livestream viewing are all possibilities for listeners this summer, with a variety of ensembles scheduled to perform, so strap up your sandals for Latin jazz, fusion jazz, big band music and more! Read on for details about the first concert on June 7.
Full Summer Schedule
Performance locations include:
- John Philip Sousa Band Hall, Marine Barracks Annex, 1053 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Yards Park, 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
- U.S. Capitol Building West Terrace, Washington, DC
- Spirit Park Amphitheater, National Harbor, 115 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
- Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812
- National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA 22172
- Online at https://www.youtube.com/usmarineband
On Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Marine Band kicks things off at its home base in Southeast D.C., with a concert open to in-person and livestreaming audiences. Associate Director Maj. Ryan J. Nowlin will lead the band through a program which includes music by John Philip Sousa, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Suite, and music by John Williams from the Star Wars saga.
Program and Notes
Livestream
John Philip Sousa’s “The National Game” doles out the first pitch of the season then Scarlet and Silver Jubilee by James Barnes will deliver a brassy fanfare accompanied by brilliant flourishes in the woodwinds.
Master Sergeant Douglas Quinzi will then step up to the plate to perform his horn solo on Eugène Bozza’s work En Forêt. The piece’s title translates to “In the Forest,” and with its use of direct quotations of Saint Hubert's hunting call, En Forêt evokes the hunting tradition of the French horn. The piece is particularly noted for its technical difficulty and features the horn's entire range, incorporating techniques such as trills, glissandi, stopped horn, and muted passages.
Listeners will also enjoy Casey at the Bat by Randol Alan Bass, a vocal feature showcasing baritone soloist Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear. Originally a playful poem by Ernest L. Thayer, “Casey at the Bat” was published decades before Babe Ruth rose to fame, but the character of “Mighty Casey” seems custom-tailored to the iconic baseball player. While Ruth spent his career winning games with his deadly swings, the hero of Thayer’s tale suffers a decidedly different fate.
Sure homeruns for the crowd will be Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Suite and John Williams’ “The Jedi Steps and Finale” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which will bring the performance to a stunning and heroic close.
The concert is free and open to the public; no tickets required. The Marine Barracks Annex is located at 1053 7th Street SE in Washington, DC, and free parking is available in the gated lot beneath the bridge on 7th Street. Please allow extra time for ID checks and security at the gate.
Directions
*Schedule is subject to change. Inclement weather cancellations will be made by 6 p.m. the evening of the concert and posted here and on Marine Band social media.