News - Page 29

The Marine Band will perform outdoor summer concerts Wednesday, Aug. 2 and Thursday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol. (USMC photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released) - The Marine Band will perform outdoor summer concerts Wednesday, Aug. 2 and Thursday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol. (USMC photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)

Concerts Feature American Salute and Works by John Williams

This week the Marine Band’s summer concert series continues with an American salute and music by John Williams, one of the most popular and successful American composers of the modern age. Conducted by Assistant Director Maj. Michelle A. Rakers, the performances will take place at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3 at the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol.

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Baton given to John Philip Sousa by the members of the Marine Band upon his retirement in 1892. The baton has become a symbol of the Marine Band Directorate and has been traditionally passed from Director to Director in every Change of Command ceremony. - Baton given to John Philip Sousa by the members of the Marine Band upon his retirement in 1892. The baton has become a symbol of the Marine Band Directorate and has been traditionally passed from Director to Director in every Change of Command ceremony.

125th Anniversary of a Genuine Article

There is no item in the Marine Band’s archives that is more unique, treasured, symbolic, and slightly shrouded in mystery than the revered Sousa baton. July 29 marks the 125th anniversary of the day Marine Band musicians presented 17th Director and “March King” John Philip Sousa with the gold tipped baton on the occasion of his final concert with “The President’s Own.” The baton is now used in Marine Band change of command ceremonies when the retiring Director passes the baton to the newly appointed Director, as most recently as July 12, 2014, when 28th Director Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig accepted the baton from Col. Michael J. Colburn, USMC (ret.).

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The Marine Chamber Orchestra performed its final 2016 Summer Series concert on Aug. 20, at Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va., featuring music by John Ireland, James Cohn, and Sir Hubert H. Parry. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released) - The Marine Chamber Orchestra performed its final 2016 Summer Series concert on Aug. 20, at Northern Virginia Community College's Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Va., featuring music by John Ireland, James Cohn, and Sir Hubert H. Parry. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Rust/released)

No Baton? No Problem!

The Marine Chamber Orchestra’s Saturday, July 29 performance will include all of the usual details: a friendly public affairs specialist handing out programs in the lobby, creative programming, and sharply dressed musicians in splendid red uniforms performing at the top of their game. But patrons will definitely notice what is missing: a conductor waving a baton. The concert will instead be led by the orchestra’s Concertmaster Staff Sgt. Karen Johnson. She joined “The President’s Own” in 2011 and was appointed to her position in October 2015, after having served as Concertmaster of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and guest concertmaster of the Seattle, Oregon, and Phoenix Symphonies.

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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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