John R. Barclay

Drum Major, November 1999-February 2001

Major John R. Barclay began his musical instruction at age five with his father, Robert, who was a Marine Band clarinetist from 1950-1957. After graduating from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas in 1986, he attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He studied clarinet with Yehuda Gilad and Mitchell Lurie, both of Los Angeles, Calif.

Major Barclay joined “The President’s Own” in January 1988 as a clarinetist and was appointed to the position of E-flat clarinetist in 1990. In January 1996 he was named Operations Assistant and Assistant Drum Major. Three years later, he was appointed Administrative Assistant to the Director, while retaining his Assistant Drum Major duties. Major Barclay served as the band’s 37th Drum Major from November 1999 to February 2001, when he was appointed to his current position. He was commissioned a captain in August 2001, promoted to major in March 2005, and to lieutenant colonel in September 2015. 

As Executive Assistant to the Director, Lt. Col. Barclay serves as the chief administrator and financial officer for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. In this position, Lt. Col. Barclay is the chief advisor to the director on all non-musical matters.