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Photo Information

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)

Photo by MSgt Kristin duBois

Clarinet Solo, Patriotic Medley, and Music from Indiana Jones

20 Jun 2017 | Gunnery Sgt. Brian Rust United States Marine Band

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. The Grand Duo Concertante was originally written for clarinetist Johann Hermstedt and performed as a true duo by Hermstedt with von Weber on the piano. The work was later transcribed by former Marine Band Director Jack T. Kline for concert band and soloist.

The band will then perform works by two the contemporary composers John Mackey and Mark D. Camphouse. Mackey’s goal for Sheltering Sky was to create a lyrical piece that sounds like a montage of old folk songs, thus it sounds familiar with melodies reminiscent of “Danny Boy” and “Shenandoah.” Camphouse’s A Movement for Rosa honors civil right hero Rosa Parks with the work structured in three sections depicting different parts of Rosa’s life and the civil rights movement. The popular gospel hymn and anthem for the civil rights movement, We Shall Overcome, is hinted at throughout the piece, coming out entirely at the conclusion.

Next the band will perform John Philip Sousa’s March, “The Crusader” and former Marine Band Staff Arranger Stephen Bulla’s medley titled Pride of a People, featuring baritone vocalist Master Sgt. Kevin Bennear singing arrangements of the patriotic tunes “This is My Country,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and “My Country ‘tis of Thee.” The concert will conclude with the popular and well-known Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams. Williams’ soundtrack to the 1981 blockbuster film has become instantly recognizable and unforgettable and the march theme has been used in all four of the Indiana Jones movies.

The Marine Band’s outdoor concerts are weather permitting and concert cancellations will be made by 6 p.m. the day of the concert on the Concert Information Line, 202-433-4011, and on the Marine Band’s website and social media pages.

Complete program and notes