Captain Jose D. Toranzo was selected as Assistant Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2023 and assumed the position on March 1, 2024. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on March 13, 2026.
A native of Holguín, Cuba, Capt. Toranzo spent his formative years in Miami, Florida, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 2014. Following recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he attended the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he completed the Basic Music Course. He was subsequently assigned to the Parris Island Marine Band, where he served as a horn player and later held leadership roles including section leader, administrative chief and acting drum major.
In 2018, Capt. Toranzo returned to the Naval School of Music to complete the Unit Leader Course. Upon graduating in 2019, he joined the 1st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton, California, where he performed on the soundtracks for the Marine Corps' national recruiting commercials Battle to Belong (2020) and Full Circle (2021) at the Newman Scoring Stage. He also served in additional leadership roles, most notably as drum major and later as the band's enlisted conductor.
In 2021, Capt. Toranzo was selected to join the faculty of the Naval School of Music as the horn instructor for the Navy and Marine Corps Fleet Band programs. During his tenure, he also served as a rehearsal division instructor and Brass Branch Head.
He has performed with ensembles throughout the Southeast, including the Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony and the North Charleston Pops. Internationally, he was an adjudicator and clinician for the 10th Singapore International Band Festival, where he evaluated ensembles, led workshops and masterclasses and collaborated with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band.
As Assistant Director, Capt. Toranzo conducts the Marine Band and Chamber Orchestra in their winter and spring concert series, summer concerts on the National Mall and ceremonial performances throughout the National Capital Region, including the White House. He also oversees the acclaimed fall and winter Chamber Music Series, featuring the musicians of “The President's Own” in a wide range of chamber ensemble performances.