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On Wednesday, Dec. 20, several ensembles from "The President's Own" helped kick off the The Midwest Clinic in Chicago with a chamber concert featuring music by Percy Grainger, Kurt Weill and others. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Staff Sgt. Christian Thesken/released) - On Wednesday, Dec. 20, several ensembles from "The President's Own" helped kick off the The Midwest Clinic in Chicago with a chamber concert featuring music by Percy Grainger, Kurt Weill and others. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Staff Sgt. Christian Thesken/released)

Marine Band’s 28th Director Colonel Jason K. Fettig Wraps up Marine Corps Career

On Dec. 20, 2023, Colonel Jason K. Fettig passed the John Philip Sousa Baton and command of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band to Associate Director Lt. Col. Ryan J. Nowlin. Following his retirement, he will embark on a new adventure as the Director of University Bands and Professor of Conducting at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he will lead the bands and provide instruction in conducting.

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The Marine Band stands for applause at their final 2023 Midwest Tour concert on Nov. 1, 2023 at Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Marine Band stands for applause at their final 2023 Midwest Tour concert on Nov. 1, 2023 at Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Pa.

On the 2023 Midwest Tour

Half an hour before the auditorium doors opened at Mt. Lebanon High School, the Marine Band sat on stage with recording engineers, stage crew and a few others gathered around. Cars were already crawling into the school parking lot and patrons began to fill the entry area. Pittsburgh was the 29th and final city on the band’s month-long 2023 concert tour throughout the Midwest.

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Meet the Marine Band members performing solos throughout the Midwest Tour 2023. - Meet the Marine Band members performing solos throughout the Midwest Tour 2023.

Meet the Tour Soloists: 2023

Meet the soloists who are performing with the Marine Band throughout the Midwest tour.

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Capitol Hill Concerts - Capitol Hill Concerts

Chamber Music Series: Afternoon of Haunting Melodies

“The President’s Own” Chamber Music Series returns at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29, with a special program titled “Haunted Sounds,” coordinated by Gunnery Sgt. Tessa Gross. Taking place at the historic Christ Church in Washington, D.C., “Haunted Sounds” promises to provide listeners with a carefully curated program featuring renowned composers and unique arrangements. The concert is free; no tickets are required.

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Capitol Hill Concerts - Capitol Hill Concerts

Capitol Hill Concerts: Friday Night Jazz at the Turnaround

On Friday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m., the Marine Jazz Ensemble will fill the air with contemporary jazz tunes at the Capital Turnaround, a unique performance venue housed in the historic building that was once the Navy Yard Car Barn, in southeast Washington, D.C. The free performance will include an eclectic selection of upbeat and smooth jazz works perfect for a Friday evening end-of-week wind-down. The concert will also premiere the vocal talent of Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis, the Marine Band’s brand-new soprano vocalist. Davis is the second female vocalist in the band’s storied 225-year history!

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On Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform its final concert of the summer, closing the summer season of its 225th Anniversary. Conducted by Marine Band Director Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the free concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., and will take place rain or shine. The band will perform patriotic marches as well as powerful wind band selections with something for everyone to enjoy, with music that highlights the remarkable virtuosity and diverse skill of the Marine Band musicians. - On Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform its final concert of the summer, closing the summer season of its 225th Anniversary. Conducted by Marine Band Director Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the free concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., and will take place rain or shine. The band will perform patriotic marches as well as powerful wind band selections with something for everyone to enjoy, with music that highlights the remarkable virtuosity and diverse skill of the Marine Band musicians.

Marine Band Concert at Marine Corps Museum: Director’s Cherished Memory

This evening “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will perform its final concert of the summer, closing the summer season of its 225th Anniversary. Conducted by Marine Band Director Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the free concert takes place at 7 p.m. at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., and will take place rain or shine. The band will perform patriotic marches as well as powerful wind band selections with something for everyone to enjoy, with music that highlights the remarkable virtuosity and diverse skill of the Marine Band musicians.

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Marine Chamber Orchestra - Marine Chamber Orchestra

Playing America’s Music

“The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Orchestra will perform its final concert of the summer on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Northern Virginia Community College’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria at 7:30 p.m., featuring a program of all-American works.

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This week marks the final Marine Band performances by mezzo-soprano Master Sgt. Sara Sheffield—it’s the end of an era. Sheffield was the band’s first female vocalist and has served for 20 years singing at the White House and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ residence as well as performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. Conducted by Associate Director Major Ryan Nowlin, Sheffield will perform four pieces specially-selected as she wraps up her vocal career. The free concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall in Washington, D.C., and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the U.S. Capitol; the Wednesday concert will also livestream. - This week marks the final Marine Band performances by mezzo-soprano Master Sgt. Sara Sheffield—it’s the end of an era. Sheffield was the band’s first female vocalist and has served for 20 years singing at the White House and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ residence as well as performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. Conducted by Associate Director Major Ryan Nowlin, Sheffield will perform four pieces specially-selected as she wraps up her vocal career. The free concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall in Washington, D.C., and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the U.S. Capitol; the Wednesday concert will also livestream.

Mezzo-Soprano MSgt Sheffield Sings Final Set

This week marks the final Marine Band performances by mezzo-soprano Master Sgt. Sara Sheffield—it’s the end of an era. Sheffield was the band’s first female vocalist and has served for 20 years singing at the White House and the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ residence as well as performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour. Conducted by Associate Director Major Ryan Nowlin, Sheffield will perform four pieces specially-selected as she wraps up her vocal career. The free concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall in Washington, D.C., and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the U.S. Capitol; the Wednesday concert will also livestream.

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Marine Band will livestream and perform at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 9 at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., and at 8 p.m., Aug. 10 at the U.S. Capitol. - Marine Band will livestream and perform at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 9 at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., and at 8 p.m., Aug. 10 at the U.S. Capitol.

International Program brings Wit and Whimsy

This week “The President’s Own” will present a light classical program of music from all over the world, with selections by well-known French, Russian, Italian, Czech, and American composers. The program begins with two American works: Henry Fillmore’s march, “The Klaxon”— originally performed with an instrument made from car horns by the composer—and Adolphus Hailstork’s “Celebration!”—commissioned to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. Conducted by Assistant Director 1st Lt. Darren Lin, the free concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall in Washington, D.C., and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at the U.S. Capitol; the Wednesday concert will also livestream.

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John Williams receives a standing ovation from the audience after being named an Honorary Marine during the Marine Band's 225th anniversary concert at The Kennedy Center for the Perfomring Arts on July 16, 2023.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chase Baran/released) - John Williams receives a standing ovation from the audience after being named an Honorary Marine during the Marine Band's 225th anniversary concert at The Kennedy Center for the Perfomring Arts on July 16, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Chase Baran/released)

Marine Band at 225: Masterpieces and Musicmaking with John Williams

It was described as a “day to remember” by Marine Band Director Colonel Jason K. Fettig, a “pinch me moment,” by Associate Director Major Ryan J. Nowlin, and a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” by Marine Band musicians and guests when almost 2,500 concertgoers from all over the United States packed into the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., to see and hear “The President’s Own” conducted by one of America’s most popular and successful composers: John Williams. There was a celebratory and almost reverent anticipation as everyone in the hall recognized the significance of this rare and historic collaboration. The concert opened with the band performing Williams’ poignant setting of the National Anthem with thousands of patriots belting out “and the home of the brave” before lending their raucous applause, signifying a unanimous excitement and approval. Fettig then welcomed the crowd to the very special concert—a beautiful chapter in the long history of the band that will reverberate for many, many years to come.

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Marine Band will livestream and perform at 7:30 p.m., July 26 at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., and at 8 p.m., July 27 at the U.S. Capitol. - Marine Band will livestream and perform at 7:30 p.m., July 26 at the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C., and at 8 p.m., July 27 at the U.S. Capitol.

Summer Concerts Return to U.S. Capitol This Week

This week, the Marine Band returns to the U.S. Capitol for an outdoor concert, marking the first time in four years the band will return to its long-standing tradition of performing summer concerts on the Capitol’s west terrace. The week’s performances include two concerts of several jazz-influenced pieces at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 26 at Sousa Band Hall and 8 p.m., Thursday, July 27 on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.

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