WASHINGTON -- This Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m., “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band presents the concert “Sacred Hymns, Songs, and Sounds.” This concert’s program features a wide variety of pieces spanning from Sir William Walton’s Coronation March, “Crown Imperial” to Caroline Shaw’s contemporary work originally composed for choir, and the swallow, to David Maslanka’s monumental Symphony No. 4. In typical Marine Band fashion, a march by John Philip Sousa will also be performed, in this case “President Garfield’s Inauguration.”
All of the pieces featured on this program, different as they may seem, focus on a collective theme of reverence and celebration. 1st Lt. Darren Lin, Marine Band Assistant Director and the concert’s conductor, wanted to use those themes to celebrate the Marine Band’s 225th anniversary.
"When I was planning this particular concert for the 225th anniversary celebration of the Marine Band, I knew I wanted to feature Maslanka's Symphony No. 4,” Lin said. “Its use of ‘Old Hundred’ and other hymn tunes led me to pair it with pieces like Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, and Caroline Shaw's and the swallow (a setting of Psalm 84).”
Lin also experimented with the juxtaposition of two marches for this concert.
“I thought it would be interesting to pair two marches - one American and one British - written to celebrate an inauguration of a President and a coronation of a King," Lin said.
The performance will take place at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. This is a free, non-ticketed event. Free parking is available in the adjacent garage.
Program and Notes
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