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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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Marine Fusion Jazz to perform Thursday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. - Marine Fusion Jazz to perform Thursday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Glen Echo Park in Maryland.

Fusion Jazz Concert on Birdland with Wayne Shorter Tribute

This week the Marine Fusion Jazz Band will perform a tribute to legendary American jazz musician Wayne Shorter at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20, in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. The free concert will highlight the combination of traditional jazz language with rock elements such as electric guitars, basses, and keyboards.

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Composer and Conductor John Williams leads the United States Marine Band in rehearsal on July 15, 2023, the day before its 225th anniversary concert at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Marine Band will perform a program entirely comprised of Williams' work, marking the fourth such collaboration between the artist and ensemble since 2003. - Composer and Conductor John Williams leads the United States Marine Band in rehearsal on July 15, 2023, the day before its 225th anniversary concert at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Marine Band will perform a program entirely comprised of Williams' work, marking the fifth collaboration between the artist and ensemble since 2003.

Rehearsal with Maestro John Williams

Fantastic. I’m just speechless. That’s what John Williams said after leading the Marine Band in rehearsal on Saturday, July 15, during a closed rehearsal with the renowned conductor in preparation for the Marine Band’s 225th Anniversary concert taking place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The legendary composer conducted the band through several of his own works in a closed rehearsal which took place in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C.

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225 Anniversary Graphic - 225 Anniversary Graphic

Celebrating 225 Years of the Marine Band & 20 Years of Friendship with John Williams

America’s oldest continuously active professional music organization is celebrating its Quasquibicentennial anniversary – that’s 225 years of the Marine Band, for those who are keeping track. The celebration culminates with John Williams returning to conduct the band July 16, 2023.

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Check out our concert in person or online Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Kicking things off with a march titled “The National Game” by John Philip Sousa, “The March King.” Summer schedule: https://express.adobe.com/page/yDBT8iIq87Mi7/ - Check out our concert in person or online Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Kicking things off with a march titled “The National Game” by John Philip Sousa, “The March King.” Summer schedule: https://express.adobe.com/page/yDBT8iIq87Mi7/ Program: https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Portals/175/Docs/Programs/060723.pdf Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrg_FAANMwg

Summer Season Concerts start June 7!

Summer is here, and “The President’s Own” has prepared a season packed with a lineup of concerts to be performed at fun locations around the Washington, D.C. area. Indoor, outdoor and livestream viewing are all possibilities for listeners this summer, with a variety of ensembles scheduled to perform, so strap up your sandals for Latin jazz, fusion jazz, big band music and more! Read on for details about the first concert on June 7.

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Chamber Music Series: May 7 - Chamber Music Series: May 7

May 7 Chamber Music Series: All About That Bass

The Marine Chamber Music Series continues with its final concert of the season at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 7, with a program featuring a sextet of winds and piano, a string quintet, and a bass clarinet nonet (that’s nine bass clarinets!). Coordinated by Bass Clarinetist Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Dees, the performance will take place in John Philip Sousa Band Hall online and in person at the Marine Barracks Annex in southeast Washington, D.C.

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Aspire: "The President's Own" at 225, graphic for the April 30, 2023 Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra Concert at the Music Center at Strathmore - Aspire: "The President's Own" at 225, graphic for the April 30, 2023 Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra Concert at the Music Center at Strathmore

Aspire: "The President's Own" at 225

In grand celebration of its 225th anniversary, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra present a special gala concert on April 30th at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Md. The performance, led in part by four generations of Marine Band directors, will highlight repertoire reflective of the musical legacy the ensemble has impressed upon our great country through the course of history.

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