Trumpet and Cornet Player Gunnery Sergeant James McClarty of Fort Worth, Texas, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in February 2007.

Gunnery Sgt. McClarty began his musical instruction on trumpet at age 12. After graduating in 1999 from Fossil Ridge High School in Keller, Texas, he earned his bachelor of music in trumpet performance from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas in 2003. He earned his master of music in trumpet performance in 2005 from Rice University in Houston. His notable instructors include Marie Speziale of Rice University and the Cincinnati Symphony, and Thomas Booth of SMU and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Gunnery Sgt. McClarty taught privately and was a freelance musician in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. He also performed with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas, and with the CAMP-of-the-WOODS music staff orchestra in Speculator, N.Y.

Gunnery Sgt. McClarty 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. In addition to his musical duties he also serves as an Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer coordinating security for Marine Band concert tours.