Trumpet and Cornet player Ben Gunnarson of Frederick, Md. joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in October 2024.
Staff Sgt. Gunnarson began his musical instruction on piano at age 7 and trumpet at age 9. After graduating from Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan. in 2012, he earned his double-bachelor's degree in trumpet performance and music education in 2018 from Indiana University, studying with Joey Tartell and Pat Harbison. He completed his master's degree in trumpet performance at the University of Southern California in 2024 under the instruction of Marine Band alumni Thomas Hooten and Jennifer Marotta.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own”, Staff Sgt. Gunnarson was a member of the Disneyland Band, the Bay Philharmonic, and the Tony and Emmy award winning show Blast! He also founded the Los Angeles Brass Alliance and was a teacher for the Disney Youth Education Series at the Disneyland resort.
Staff Sgt. Gunnarson 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.