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On July 12, 2014, Marine Band Director Col. Michael J. Colburn will pass the John Philip Sousa Baton and command of "The President's Own" to Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig in a Change of Command Ceremony and Concert. Col. Colburn has been a member of the Marine Band since 1987 and has served as director for the past 10 years.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust

Change of Command

8 Jul 2014 | Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons United States Marine Band

On July 12, 2014, Colonel Michael J. Colburn will retire and pass the John Philip Sousa Baton and command of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band to Assistant Director Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig. Following his retirement, he will embark on a new adventure as the director of bands at Butler University in Indianapolis, where he will also provide instruction in conducting and euphonium.

Colburn, one of seven children, grew up in St. Albans, Vt., a small town near the Canadian border. His parents were both educators; his father Verne a high school band director, and his mother Betty an elementary school teacher. Colburn was attracted to music from an early age. “One of my earliest memories is crawling under my brother’s sousaphone and buzzing on the mouthpiece,” recalled Colburn.

Colburn initially wanted to play the tuba, but his father encouraged the euphonium, which is like a smaller version of the tuba, because he thought it would be easier for a 10-year old to manage. Although Colburn later tried tuba and trombone, he was smitten with the euphonium, especially following an experience with the principal euphonium player for the Marine Band, Master Gunnery Sergeant Lucas Spiros, USMC (Ret.).

In junior high, Colburn attended a summer band camp at the University of Vermont in Burlington, where he took part in a master class led by Spiros. “That experience made a huge impression on me,” explained Colburn. “I had never even seen a four-valve euphonium! It was this encounter with Luke that really planted the idea of playing euphonium professionally.”

Upon his graduation from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans in 1982, Colburn enrolled as a music education major at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York in Potsdam. Although he greatly appreciated the quality of his training at Crane, he felt it might not be the best preparation for a career in performance, so in 1984 he applied for a transfer to Arizona State University (ASU), where he received a scholarship to study with the renowned tuba and euphonium instructor Daniel Perantoni. But moving west was a shock to his system. 

“I had never been farther west than Potsdam and this was my first time on an airplane,” recalled Colburn. “When I stepped off the plane in Arizona, I felt like I was on a different planet!”

Luckily Colburn wasn’t alone in his new adventure. In 1985 he was joined by his high school sweetheart Nancy, who transferred to ASU to study English.

Although Colburn had set his sights on obtaining a position with one of the premiere military bands, his goal was thwarted by a dry spell of openings throughout the course of his undergraduate studies, which he completed in 1986. Upon graduation, he and Nancy were married, and he decided to stay on at ASU to begin a master’s program in euphonium and bass trombone performance. In September of that year, he learned about a Marine Band audition through Perantoni.

“I prepared for that audition as if it were the Olympics,” noted Colburn. “I cut out caffeine and alcohol and practiced six hours a day. I checked out every piece of music I could get my hands on in the music library in order to practice my sight reading.”

Thirty-eight players auditioned for two positions that day, and when Colburn entered the audition room he was pleasantly surprised to see that the proctor was none other than Master Gunnery Sgt. Luke Spiros. “I hadn’t seen Luke since Vermont. I’m sure he didn’t remember me, but he offered some greatly appreciated words of encouragement.” 

Colburn made it to the final round, but was disappointed to learn that he placed third. He returned to ASU to continue his studies, thinking that he may have missed his only opportunity to win a position with “The President’s Own.” Just a few months later he was contacted by Marine Band Director Colonel John R. Bourgeois, asking if he was available to fill a position that was being added to the euphonium section.

Colburn reported to the Marine Band on June 1, 1987. Then-principal euphonium Master Sgt. Steven Kellner, USMC (Ret.) became an immediate mentor. “I feel so indebted to Steve,” said Colburn. “When it came to ensemble playing, I felt like I learned more in my first six months in the band than I did in my entire college education!”

One of the first things he had to master was marching, something Colburn had done rarely in high school or college.  The learning curve was steep and short, because in many Marine Band formations the euphoniums march in the front row and are often responsible for maintaining the proper spacing between the band and the Drum Major. “I can’t think of many times I have been more terrified than I was for that first summer of Friday Evening Parades at the Marine Barracks,” Colburn recalled.

Colburn quickly distinguished himself as a section player and soloist. He was appointed principal euphonium in 1990, and served as a soloist for three national concert tours. His first tour was in his native New England region, as was his last as Director in 2012.

“Throughout my career as a player and conductor, it was always amazing to play in great concert halls such as
Benaroya in Seattle, Davies in San Francisco, and Carnegie Hall in New York,” explained Colburn. “But some of my favorite tour memories have occurred in high school gymnasiums in some of the smaller towns we have played. Those audiences are so excited to hear the band, and in a gym you can really see their reactions. When you play the same program dozens of times, these moments remind you that each performance is new for that particular audience.”

In his early years in the Marine Band, Colburn experienced an organization in transition. “I was fortunate to work with a group of motivated principal players who were excited to maximize our impact on the ensemble, and I greatly appreciate that Col. Bourgeois was so supportive of our efforts to share in the ‘ownership’ of the organization.” 

He also felt strong philosophical bonds with then-Assistant Director Major Timothy W. Foley and Executive Assistant to the Director Capt. Frank Byrne. “I owe so much of my musical development to the influence of these two gentlemen, who have continued to be valued friends and mentors.”

Although he was thrilled to have his dream job of playing euphonium in the Marine Band, Colburn decided to expand his skill set and began to study conducting with Professor Anthony Maiello at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he earned a master’s degree in 1991. 

Colburn enjoyed his study of conducting, but had no aspirations to become an Assistant Director until Foley approached him about the idea. Upon the retirement of Bourgeois in 1996, Colburn was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned a first lieutenant. He accepted the position of Senior Assistant Director and Executive Officer in 2001 when Major Dennis R. Burian retired. As an Assistant Director, Colburn focused on formalizing the audition process and expanding the organization’s educational outreach. But there was another initiative that yielded immeasurable dividends. In 2002, Colburn sent a letter to Academy Award-winning film composer John Williams inviting him to guest conduct “The President’s Own” for its 205th anniversary.

“I heard nothing for about six months,” noted Colburn. “I knew the chances were slim since Mr. Williams had not conducted a band since his days in the Air Force in the 1950s.”

To his surprise, Williams was flattered by the invitation and agreed to conduct the band at a gala concert on July 12, 2003, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

A year later on July 17, 2004, Lt. Col. Colburn accepted the Sousa Baton from Col. Timothy W. Foley, becoming the 27th Director of the Marine Band. On Nov. 6, 2004, “The President's Own” celebrated the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the birth of Sousa, and then-Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael W. Hagee dedicated the band’s new rehearsal facility the John Philip Sousa Band Hall. 

On Dec. 5, 2004, at the request of Williams, the Marine Band performed his music when he was named a Kennedy Center Honoree. Williams returned to conduct the band in 2008 for its 210th anniversary and the culmination of its Living History season. In 2009 he made a surprise appearance during a Marine Band tour concert performance at Royce Hall in Los Angeles when he conducted his March from 1941. Again Williams was invited by Colburn to conduct the band for its 215th anniversary, but the concert was cancelled due to sequestration. However, he composed a piece in honor of the anniversary titled “For ‘The President’s Own.’” 

In addition to Williams, Colburn has welcomed other prominent guest conductors to the podium of “The President’s Own,” including Leonard Slatkin, José Serebrier, Gerard Schwarz, and Giancarlo Guerrero. Throughout his tenure he was also deeply committed to seeking new works for the Marine Band, and has been directly involved in commissions from composers David Rakowski, David Chaitkin, Melinda Wagner, Jennifer Higdon, Michael Gandolfi, Laurence Bitensky, James Stephenson, and Jacob Bancks. 

Not forgetting his music education roots, Colburn diligently worked to expand the Marine Band’s educational outreach efforts by increasing master classes at schools throughout the nation during the band’s annual concert tour, and by initiating Music in the High Schools, a program that sends musicians from “The President’s Own” to perform in Washington, D.C. area high schools. The popular Marine Band Concerto Competition for high school students was also launched during his tenure. The band has released 10 educational recordings during his leadership, including “Music From the Land of Hope and Glory,” “The Music Lover’s Grainger,” “Flourishes and Meditations,” and the band’s most recent release “From the Keyboard.” 

As expected, many of Colburn’s career highlights took place fulfilling the band’s mission at the White House. During his 10-year career as Director, Colburn served under both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. But his first conducting experience at the White House took place in 1996 as a newly minted Assistant Director. 

“I was leading the orchestra in the Grand Foyer, performing English Folk Song Suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams,” said Colburn. “I was about a minute into the piece and I felt a tug on my elbow. I assumed it was a member of the White House staff, coming to give me information about the event. Much to my surprise, when I turned around, I saw it was President Clinton.”

While he continued to conduct the orchestra the President started to tell Colburn that the piece was one of his favorite works and went on to describe the various movements and how the band version differs from the orchestra version.

“It just amazed me that he recalled such specific memories of this piece, music that he had not likely had any exposure to since his days in high school band,” said Colburn.

 “The Bush family has also always been very supportive of the band, even since they left the White House,” recalled Colburn.  “President Bush actually became the first president to conduct the band in 2004, when he led us in ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ at the White House Correspondents Dinner.”

On July 3, 2007, President Bush promoted Colburn to the rank of colonel in an Oval Office ceremony, making him the second Director in the Marine Band’s history to be promoted by a Commander in Chief. Following the event, Bush invited the Colburn family to watch the Fourth of July fireworks with his family the next evening on the balcony of the South Portico. 

While Colburn and the band interact with the presidents at the White House, some of his most thrilling moments have been in more public settings.  

“My most memorable inaugural was President Barack Obama’s first in 2009,” said Colburn. “When you’re sitting below the president on the platform at the Capitol, you tend to be pretty narrowly focused on completing the mission. When it came time for the Navy Sea Chanters to sing an a cappella version of the National Anthem at the end of the ceremony, I turned around to salute the colors and found myself gazing out at a National Mall that was populated by the biggest crowd to ever attend an inauguration. It was the first time that day that I allowed myself to consider the full impact of this event, and it’s a feeling I’ll never forget. While every inauguration is important, the historical significance of that day is something every American should appreciate.”

Despite making incredible memories with numerous presidents, performing at the White House is not what he will miss most.  

“When I’m asked about the best part of my job, I think many people assume my answer will involve the White House or the celebrities and renowned guest artists I’ve had a chance to work with over the years,” noted Colburn. “While these aspects of the job have been thrilling, they really don’t come close to the thing I will miss the most about the Marine Band, which is the caliber of the people I get to work with on a daily basis. In addition to being among the most accomplished musicians and professionals you will find anywhere, they are some of the kindest, most generous, and principled people I have ever known. They have inspired and taught me for 27 years, and I look forward to the opportunity to share some of the wisdom they imparted to me with the students at Butler in the years to come.”

The Marine Band Change of Command Concert and Ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 12 at Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va. The concert is free, but tickets are required. Ticket information is available on the Marine Band website. Non-ticketed patrons will be seated at 7:15 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. The concert will be streamed live on the Marine Band website: www.marineband.marines.mil