Saxophonist Gunnery Sergeant Jacob Chmara of St. Petersburg, Fla., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in November 2007.

Gunnery Sgt. Chmara began his musical training on saxophone at age 10 and bass guitar at age 12. After graduating from Keswick Christian School in St. Petersburg in 1999, he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he earned a bachelor of music in saxophone performance in 2003. His notable instructors include Kelland Thomas from the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, and Donald Sinta and Timothy McAllister of the University of Michigan.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Gunnery Sgt. Chmara won the North American Saxophone Alliance competition in 2000 and the University of Michigan Concerto Competition in 2002.

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