WASHINGTON -- As the world watched NATO celebrate 75 years of alliance, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band stood ready to support with musical diplomacy.
On April 4, 1949, members of the United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra provided music for the signing of the NATO Treaty in Mellon Auditorium, and in 1999 the band supported the NATO Summit as it celebrated its 50th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
Throughout the years, “The President’s Own” has supported additional NATO events with string ensembles, the orchestra, and the band at Arrival ceremonies and State Dinners. At the NATO Anniversary Ceremony in 1999, “The President’s Own” played marches by John Philip Sousa, to include “Hands Across the Sea,” “The Thunderer,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Golden Jubilee,” “The Diplomat,” and “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty.” Other marches performed were “Hosts of Freedom” by Karl L. King, “Golden Friendships,” by Henry Fillmore, and “The Chimes of Liberty” by Edwin F. Goldman. The ceremony concluded with James Hosay’s “Alliance of the Free”—the NATO Anniversary March.
Watch the July 9 Ceremony
This week, the Marine Chamber Orchestra performed once again in Mellon Auditorium where the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in 1949.
According to Marine Band Historian Staff Sgt. Philip Espe, for this month’s celebratory events, the musicians performed works to musically represent as many member countries as possible. Those included a suite of Greek folk songs, Johannes Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 4, Camille Saint- Saëns’ March Militaire Francaise, Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, music by the Beatles, George Gershwin, and more. Violinist Master Gunnery Sgt. Erika Sato and trumpet/cornetist Master Sgt. Brian Turnmire supported the Ministers Reception with popular songs on violin and guitar for the opening ceremony. They also performed music for the Spousal Event hosted by the First Lady of the United States and the American History Museum, while joined by Staff Sgt. Kevin Thompson on bass and Staff Sgt. Michael Hopkins on Cajon, creating an acoustic pop music quartet.
“Engaging in musical diplomacy to support these internationally historic events was an honor,” Sato said.
The Marine Band performed a number of pieces for the orchestra for last week’s NATO events, to include “Soar,” the theme from Masters of the Air; John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare;” and the finale which consisted of “This Is My Wish,” “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” and “Variations on a Shaker Hymn.” Also performed, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” from Carousel, featured Marine Band soprano vocalist Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis along with a joint service choral ensemble during the ceremony. Marine Band Arranger Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ninmer arranged James Hosay’s “Alliance of the Free,” for orchestra, as it was originally written for concert band in celebration of NATO’s 50th anniversary in 1999. Ninmer also arranged Ukraine’s national hymn for the orchestra, which was played at the NATO dinner at the White House.
The Marine Band’s world music ensemble supported the events by researching and performing music of NATO countries.
“While there's an abundance of music from countries like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, the world music team wanted to also include folk and popular music from other countries like Albania, Belgium, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine,” Master Sgt. Tam Tran said.
Following research and acquisition process, the world music team was able to perform arrangements of a folk medley for Poland and a Maori medley for NATO Partner New Zealand.
After all the fanfares and arrivals and photos and handshakes and promises and the final notes were played, “The President’s Own” added the NATO Summit to its legacy of providing music for the President of the United States. Marine Band Director Lieutenant Col. Ryan Nowlin was incredibly honored to lead the music for such an event.
“Like so many things that the Marine Band does, it’s not about what we do, it’s about how we make people feel,” Nowlin said. “So to have the opportunity to craft a program for all the world leaders—for NATO, its allies and partners is something I’ll not soon forget.”