1st Lt. Jose D. Toranzo was selected as Assistant Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2023. He officially assumed duties as Assistant Director and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on March 1, 2024.
1st Lt. Toranzo hails from Miami, Florida, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2014, completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In 2015, he reported to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Va., where he completed the Basic Music Course before assignment to the Parris Island Marine Band, where he served as a horn instrumentalist and in billets including section leader, administrative chief, and acting drum major.
In December 2018, he reported to the Naval School of Music to attend the Unit Leader Course. Upon graduating in August 2019, he joined the 1st Marine Division Band in Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served in numerous leadership capacities, most notably as drum major and subsequently as enlisted conductor.
In November 2021, 1st Lt. Toranzo was selected to serve as the horn instructor for the Navy and Marine Corps Fleet Band programs at the Naval School of Music, while concurrently serving as a rehearsal division instructor. In addition to his military career, he has performed with several ensembles across the Southeast, including the Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, and the North Charleston Pops.
As Assistant Director, 1st Lt. Toranzo's responsibilities include conducting the Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra in their winter and spring concert series and summer concerts on the National Mall as well as at ceremonies in the national capital region and at the White House. Additionally, he serves as a supervisor for the acclaimed fall and winter Chamber Music Series, which features the virtuoso musicians of “The President’s Own" in small ensemble settings.