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Gunnery Sergeants Alan Prather and Brian Turnmire perform with Free Country, the Marine Band's contemporary country music ensemble, on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released) - Gunnery Sergeants Alan Prather and Brian Turnmire perform with Free Country, the Marine Band's contemporary country music ensemble, on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released)

Free Country Performs at Capitol and Glen Echo

The Marine Band’s popular music ensemble, Free Country, will offer a second set of performances for the summer concert season with concerts at 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 26, on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol and at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 27, in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Md. The 10-piece band features modern and classic commercial hits including songs from the 1960s to the present from the genres of pop, rock, R&B, and country by such recording artists as Lee Greenwood, Van Halen, Marc Cohn, Tina Turner, Barry White, Frankie Ballard, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

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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)

Concerts Feature Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald Medleys

This week the Marine Band’s summer concert series continues with a salute to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, two of the most legendary and influential figures in jazz. Conducted by Assistant Director Capt. Ryan J. Nowlin, the performances will take place at 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 19 and 8 p.m., Thursday, July 20 at the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol.

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A Marine Jazz Ensemble from "The President's Own" performed an eclectic mix of jazz standards for visitors during the afternoon of July 2 at the National Museum of American History. (USMC photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released) - A Marine Jazz Ensemble from "The President's Own" performed an eclectic mix of jazz standards for visitors during the afternoon of July 2 at the National Museum of American History. (USMC photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released)

Marine Jazz Ensemble and Marine Brass Quintet at the Museum of American History

This July, ensembles from the Marine Band will return to the Museum of American History as part of the Smithsonian museum’s Star-Spangled American Music Series to perform short, daytime concerts in the museum’s Flag Hall, just inside the main entrance. Each ensemble will perform three 30-minute concerts at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. on their respective days. The first group to perform is a Marine Jazz Ensemble performing on Thursday, July 13.

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On July 27, 2016, the Marine Band performed a Summer Fare concert at the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released) - On July 27, 2016, the Marine Band performed a Summer Fare concert at the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)

Sinatra, Sousa, and Bernstein, Oh My!

The Marine Band’s summer concert series continues this week with back to back performances at 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 12 and 8 p.m., Thursday, July 13 at the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Conducted by Assistant Director Maj. Michelle A. Rakers, the program is a perfect blend of what patrons might hear on a country bandstand in America’s heartland: George Whitefield Chadwick’s “Jubilee” from Symphonic Sketches; Sir Dean Goffin’s cornet solo “Victorious;” Ryan George’s Firefly; Leonard Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes from On the Town; Richard Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Lohengrin; Ol’ Blue Eyes: The Hits of Frank Sinatra medley; and John Philip Sousa’s march “The Belle of Chicago.”

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Marines with Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., perform during an evening parade, Aug. 14, 2015. Lance Cpl. Joshua Leakey, recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, and Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, deputy commandant for Aviation, was the hosting official for that same parade. The Evening Parade began in 1934 and features the Silent Drill Platoon, the U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, and two marching companies. More than 3500 guests attend the parade every week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Nunn/Released) - Marines with Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., perform during an evening parade, Aug. 14, 2015. Lance Cpl. Joshua Leakey, recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valor in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, and Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis, deputy commandant for Aviation, was the hosting official for that same parade. The Evening Parade began in 1934 and features the Silent Drill Platoon, the U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, and two marching companies. More than 3500 guests attend the parade every week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Nunn/Released)

60th Anniversary of the Friday Evening Parade

On July 5, 1957, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performed in the first official “Friday Evening Parade,” held at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Sixty years later, this 75-minute performance of music and precision marching and drill has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines.

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Guitarist Gunnery Sgt. Alan Prather will lead a Marine Jazz Combo in concert on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol at 8 p.m. July 9 & 10.(U.S. Marine Corps photo released/Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons) - Guitarist Gunnery Sgt. Alan Prather will lead a Marine Jazz Combo in concert on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol at 8 p.m. July 9 & 10.(U.S. Marine Corps photo released/Gunnery Sgt. Amanda Simmons)

Marine Fusion Jazz Band’s “Weather Report” Brings the Thunder!

The “Weather Report” calls for hot jazz with a side of cool musicians at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 6 at Yards Park on the southeast waterfront in Washington, D.C. “The President’s Own” will present a fusion jazz band performance which will feature several selections from one of the preeminent groups from the realm, Weather Report.

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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)

The Capitol, the Cornerstone, and Summer Concerts

The Marine Band’s Summer Concert series, which takes place on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, is a great American tradition of music on the Capitol grounds that goes as far back as President George Washington. In 1793, President Washington led a procession of military and masons from Alexandria, Va., through the new capital city up to Capitol Hill. There, they conducted a ceremony to lay the southeast cornerstone for the future Capitol building. Andrew Dentamaro of the office of the Architect of the Capitol referred to reports in The Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette, which described the procession and ceremony as having “music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing.” Seventy years later, during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, music officially returned with the initiation of weekly summer band concerts on the Capitol grounds. Although the Marine Band did not yet exist when the cornerstone was laid, it was already marking its 65th anniversary when the summer concert series began in the midst of the Civil War.

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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)

Clarinet Solo, Patriotic Medley, and Music from Indiana Jones

Assistant Director Maj. Michelle A. Rakers will conduct the Marine Band this week for its summer evening concert at 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol. There will be no Thursday evening concert this week. The concert is free and no tickets are required. The performance will kick off with works by two European composers: first, Hector Berlioz’s Overture to Benvenuto Cellini and followed by Carl Maria von Weber’s Rondo from Grand Duo Concertante, Opus 48, featuring clarinet soloist Staff Sgt. Jonathon Troy.

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Conducted by Assistant Director Capt. Ryan J. Nowlin, the Marine Chamber Orchestra will kick off its 2017 Summer Series with Antonio Vivaldi’s well-known and oft performed work, The Four Seasons, Opus 8, featuring concertmaster Staff Sgt. Karen Johnson as violin soloist. Following Vivaldi’s famous work, the orchestra will perform Max Richter’s The Four Seasons Recomposed, a reconstruction of Vivaldi’s music, using only a small portion of the original work, but in a type of loop similar to dance music. This piece will feature assistant concertmaster Master Sgt. Regino Madrid as violin soloist. There will be no pre-concert ensemble performance prior to this concert. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 17 at Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va. Free, no tickets required. - Conducted by Assistant Director Capt. Ryan J. Nowlin, the Marine Chamber Orchestra will kick off its 2017 Summer Series with Antonio Vivaldi’s well-known and oft performed work, The Four Seasons, Opus 8, featuring concertmaster Staff Sgt. Karen Johnson as violin soloist. Following Vivaldi’s famous work, the orchestra will perform Max Richter’s The Four Seasons Recomposed, a reconstruction of Vivaldi’s music, using only a small portion of the original work, but in a type of loop similar to dance music. This piece will feature assistant concertmaster Master Sgt. Regino Madrid as violin soloist. There will be no pre-concert ensemble performance prior to this concert. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 17 at Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va. Free, no tickets required.

The Four Seasons

The Marine Chamber Orchestra will begin its Summer Orchestra Series at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 17 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. Conducted by Assistant Director Capt. Ryan J. Nowlin, the orchestra will perform two substantial works which showcase the virtuosity of Marine Chamber Orchestra violinists. On the first half of the concert, the orchestra will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons featuring concertmaster Staff Sgt. Karen Johnson. Following Vivaldi, the orchestra will perform Max Richter’s The Four Seasons Recomposed, featuring assistant concertmaster Master Sgt. Regino Madrid.

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On July 14, 2016, the Marine Latin Jazz Ensemble performed at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Amanda Simmons/released) - On July 14, 2016, the Marine Latin Jazz Ensemble performed at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Amanda Simmons/released)

Latin Jazz in the Bumper Car Pavilion

This summer, ensembles from the Marine Band will return to charming Glen Echo Park to perform in the Bumper Car Pavilion once a month. The first concert will feature the Latin Jazz group at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 15. “The program will showcase both New York style big band Latin jazz and traditional Afro-Cuban music,” noted eupho¬nium player Staff Sgt. Hiram Diaz, who also serves as group leader and vocalist. “The Bumper Car Pavilion is a great intimate setting that brings us close to the audience, but also allows people in other areas of the park to enjoy the music too.”

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Travel Back in Time With the Sousa Band: Sousa Press Books Archive

During his lifetime, John Philip Sousa might have been the most traveled person in the world, and now today’s audiences can get a glimpse into some of his adventures through a new online collection made available by the Marine Band Library.

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