News - Page 24

Marine Dixieland Band Concert at Glen Echo Park in Maryland featuring Dixieland favorites made famous by Louis Armstrong, as well as music from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. - The Marine Dixieland Band performed Dixieland favorites at Glen Echo Park in Maryland on Aug. 24 as part of "The President's Own" Summer Concerts. Selections included works made famous by Louis Armstrong, as well as Dixieland arrangements of music from George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Brian Rust/released)

Marine Dixieland Band Concerts Feature a Playful and Lighthearted Set

The Marine Dixieland Band returns to the stage this week for two performances: 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 20 at the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 21 at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Md. The concerts are free; no tickets are required. Led by trumpet player Master Sgt. Daniel Orban, the Marine Dixieland Band is composed

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On June 7, 2017, the Marine Band performed a summer concert at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The program included Sousa's march, "Manhattan Beach," Sparke's Pantomime, King's march, "The Melody Shop," and a medley of Johnny Mercer songs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released) - On June 7, 2017, the Marine Band performed a summer concert at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The program included Sousa's march, "Manhattan Beach," Sparke's Pantomime, King's march, "The Melody Shop," and a medley of Johnny Mercer songs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)

Summer Concerts Feature Sousa, Clarinet Solo, and Movie Music

The Marine Band’s evening summer concerts on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol continue this week with performances at 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 13 and Thursday, June 14, conducted by Assistant Director Capt. Ryan J. Nowlin who said, “This is a classic Marine Band concert filled with overtures, film music, a featured soloist, and of course the music of John Philip Sousa.” Both concerts are free and open to the public and no tickets are required.

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On June 5, 2018 Capt. Bryan Sherlock rehearsed the Marine Band in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., for his first concert as Assistant Director. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released) - On June 5, 2018 Capt. Bryan Sherlock rehearsed the Marine Band in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., for his first concert as Assistant Director. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)

Summer Concerts Begin with New Conductor and Celebrations

The Marine Band’s summer performances begin this week on the National Mall and feature newly commissioned Capt. Bryan Sherlock making his conducting debut in his new role as Assistant Director. Sherlock was commissioned and appointed Assistant Director in a ceremony on June 1 in John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barrcks Annex in Washington, D.C. The evening performances at 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, are free and no tickets are required.

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On June 1, 2018, Marine Band Director Col. Jason K. Fettig promoted newly-appointed Assistant Director Bryan Sherlock to the rank of captain in a ceremony in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released) - On June 1, 2018, Marine Band Director Col. Jason K. Fettig promoted newly-appointed Assistant Director Bryan Sherlock to the rank of captain in a ceremony in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)

Introducing the Marine Band’s Newest Assistant Director

On Friday, June 1, the Director of “The President’s Own” Colonel Jason K. Fettig conferred a commission on newly-appointed Assistant Director Bryan Sherlock. Sherlock, a chief warrant officer 3 and former fleet Marine Corps band officer, was promoted to captain as he became the first Marine Band Assistant Director to be appointed from the officer corps of the Fleet Marine Force.

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Wolf Trap Summer Blast Off - Join “The President’s Own” on Memorial Day weekend and mark the beginning of summer with the annual concert at Wolf Trap. This year’s program is once again packed with great American music, from rousing marches and patriotic classics to a dazzling tribute to Louis Armstrong and the traditional performance of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture. The world of Broadway will be well represented with musical selections from Leonard Bernstein’s famous West Side Story in celebration of the centennial of his birth and a musical revue from the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit Oklahoma!, which first opened to great acclaim 75 years ago. This Memorial Day musical showcase is capped with one of the best fireworks displays of the year. Don’t miss a one-of-a-kind Washington event! Free, no tickets required.

Annual Memorial Day Concert at Wolf Trap to Honor Centennial of Women Marines

“The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band will return to the Filene Center at Wolf Trap for its annual Summer Blast Off performance with fireworks at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 27 in Vienna, Va. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. for lawn and in-house seating and free parking is available. Marine Band Director Col. Jason K. Fettig will conduct the concert, as he

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Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. - Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. - Coordinated by violinist Staff Sgt. Christopher Franke, this concert will feature a variety of string ensembles formed by members of “The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Orchestra, including a cello and piano duo; string quintet; and string quartet. The performance is free and open to the public and will take place in John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex. It will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Winter/Spring Marine Chamber Series Concludes

The Winter/Spring Chamber Music Series will conclude at 2 p.m. (EDT), Sunday, May 20, with a performance highlighting the small but mighty string section of “The President’s Own.” The concert will take place at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall in southeast Washington, D.C., and live online at www.marineband.marines.mil and

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Marine Band Concert: Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration - Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. - Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. - The year 2018 marks the 100th year of the birth of the great American conductor, composer, and educator Leonard Bernstein. From his featured conducting debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943 that catapulted him into the spotlight, to his emotional, final performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Center just a few months before his death in 1990, Bernstein left a mark on the orchestral world that has not been surpassed by any other American conductor. This concert highlights several fascinating moments in Bernstein’s phenomenal career as both a composer and conductor and pays tribute to the creativity and originality of a true American musical icon. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place in Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va.

Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration Concert

The year 2018 marks the 100th year of Leonard Bernstein’s birth, so this Sunday the Marine Band will honor the American icon with a concert titled “To Make Us Proud: A Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration.” The concert will take place at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 13, at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, Va. The

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Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. - Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. - Coordinated by oboe and English horn player Gunnery Sgt. Joseph DeLuccio, this concert will feature several different ensembles formed by members of “The President’s Own,” including a brass quintet; string duo; oboe and strings quartet; and various other small wind ensembles. The performance is free and open to the public and will take place in John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex. It will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Chamber Music Series Continues with Five Pieces

The Marine Band’s Chamber Music Series returns at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 6, with a brass quintet, woodwind quintet with piano, and string ensembles performing music by Antony Holburn, Joseph Haydn, Joseph Horovitz, Bryce Dessner, and Leopold Smit. The concert is free and will take place at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex

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Marine Band Concert: Fair Winds and Following Seas - Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. - Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. - After 20 years of inspired service, nearly 14 as Assistant Director, Maj. Michelle A. Rakers will make her final appearance with the United States Marine Band during this concert. Maj. Rakers joined “The President’s Own” in 1998 as a trumpeter/cornetist and was appointed an Assistant Director in 2004, the first female conductor in Marine Band history. This engaging program is filled with some of her favorite works, opening with a new transcription of Joan Tower’s Made in America. The program continues with the music of Percy Grainger, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and Kent Kennan’s Trumpet Sonata. Don’t miss Maj. Rakers’ final performance with “The President’s Own” as we wish her fair winds and following seas. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place in Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va.

Fair Winds and Following Seas: Maj. Michelle Rakers’ Final Marine Band Concert

Twenty years ago this month in May 1998, a young trumpet player named Michelle Rakers traveled to Washington, D.C., to audition for the United States Marine Band. Not only did she win the audition, making her only the third female trumpet player at the time to win an audition with the Marine Band, but within six years, she was commissioned a first lieutenant and became the first female officer and Assistant Director in the more than 200-year history of the Marine Band. On Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m., the Marine Band will celebrate the historic career of Assistant Director Maj. Michelle A. Rakers and bid her “fair winds and following seas” as she conducts her final Marine Band concert, filled with selections by iconic American composers. The performance, which is free with no tickets required, will take place at Northern Virginia Community College’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Free parking is available in the adjacent garage.

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Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. - Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. - Coordinated by clarinetist Staff Sgt. Meaghan Kawaller, this concert will feature several different ensembles formed by members of “The President’s Own,” including a brass trio; string duo; clarinet, vocal, and piano trio; and a quintet for violin, cello, bass clarinet, marimba, and piano. The performance is free and open to the public and will take place in John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex. It will also stream live on the Marine Band website.

Live Stream on April 22

On Sunday, April 22, “The President’s Own” will present a chamber music concert featuring the music of Wayne Lu, Maurice Ravel, Louis (Ludwig) Spohr, and Marc Mellits. The performance will take place at 2 p.m., at John Philip Sousa Band Hall and will be live streamed here. First on the program is Lu’s Partita for Brass Trio. A composer and music

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2018 March Mania Winner - Commando March by Samuel Barber was the 2018 "Sousa's March Mania" winner.

Let’s Go, Commando!: A 2018 March Mania Recap

“Let’s Go, Commando!” That’s what Wabasha-Kellogg fifth graders in Wabasha, Minn., chanted as they cheered on Samuel Barber’s “Commando March” throughout an exciting and intense month of “Sousa’s March Mania.” From Feb. 26 through March 28, 32 marches battled to win the March Mania championship title. After four weeks of competition and nearly 900,000 total votes, “Commando March” came out on top, crushing the 2015 champ “Valdres” by Johannes Hanssen.

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