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Sinatra, Sousa, and Bernstein, Oh My! July 10, 2017 — 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.” MORE

60th Anniversary of the Friday Evening Parade June 28, 2017 — 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. MORE

Marine Fusion Jazz Band’s “Weather Report” Brings the Thunder! June 28, 2017 — 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. MORE

The Capitol, the Cornerstone, and Summer Concerts June 26, 2017 — 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. MORE

Clarinet Solo, Patriotic Medley, and Music from Indiana Jones June 20, 2017 — 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. MORE

The Four Seasons June 12, 2017 — 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. MORE

Latin Jazz in the Bumper Car Pavilion June 12, 2017 — 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.” MORE

Travel Back in Time With the Sousa Band: Sousa Press Books Archive June 9, 2017 — 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. MORE

First Female Drum Major to Lead "The President's Own" June 5, 2017 — This summer, Gunnery Sgt. Stacie Crowther will lead the Marine Band as the first female Assistant Drum Major for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Crowther auditioned for and won the position in Fall 2016 and reported for duty in March 2017. During the audition, four candidates from the fleet Marine Corps bands spent several hours with Marine Band Drum Major Master Sgt. Duane King and Assistant Drum Major Gunnery Sgt. Steven Williams learning different marching and mace techniques used at Marine Barracks Washington. MORE

Sousa and Euphonium on the National Mall June 5, 2017 — This week the Marine Band will perform its first summer concerts of the season on the National Mall, featuring a march by John Philip Sousa, a euphonium focus, and works by Sir Malcolm Arnold, Camille Saint-Saëns, and popular American singer and songwriter Johnny Mercer. Conducted by Assistant Director Captain Ryan J. Nowlin, the band will perform at 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, at the U.S. Capitol and at 8 p.m., Thursday, June 8, at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Both concerts are free and open to the public and no tickets are required. MORE

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