Soprano vocalist and concert moderator Staff Sgt. Hannah Davis of Pittsburgh, Pa. joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in September 2023. She is the band’s second official female vocalist. In addition to acting as concert moderator, Davis will solo on every tour concert during the Marine Band’s 2024 Coast-to-Coast Tour. To prepare for the tour, Davis collaborated with Marine Band Director Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin and Staff Arranger Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ninmer to select three pieces for this year’s tour.

“Ah! Je veux vivre” from Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette is a well-known piece of vocal repertoire. Also referred to as “Juliet’s Waltz,” this opera classic showcases elaborate melodies and Davis’s vocal range.  

“I think including an opera piece in this year’s concert repertoire really showcases the different tools in my skillset,” Davis said. “Lt. Col. Nowlin knew I already had Romeo et Juliette in my repertoire and thought it would be great to give the audience an opera piece. I hope the audience sees the difficulty of going from moderating to singing opera in the space of a few seconds. Switching styles so frequently for each concert program takes a lot of practice to do without hurting yourself!”

Selections from The Wiz presents highlights from the showstopping Broadway musical including Ease on Down the Road, Believe in Yourself and Brand New Day. An early instance of Broadway's mainstream acceptance of a show with an all-Black cast, The Wiz has seen a Broadway revival tour in 2024.

“I love the story behind this music! It’s all about believing in yourself and overcoming obstacles,” Davis said. “It takes me back to my Marine Band audition, where I was doing my best to prove I had what it takes to be in this position. It’s surreal to come full circle on this tour performing for former teachers and my family at my alma mater, West Virginia University, as a member of ‘The President’s Own.’”

A Tribute to Ella includes iconic numbers from the “Queen of Jazz” including “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” “Oh, Lady, Be Good!” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing).” Noted for her tone, diction and absolute pitch, Ella Fitzgerald is often associated with Harlem’s iconic Savoy Ballroom jazz club and had a career spanning nearly 60 years.

“Ella Fitzgerald was part of the soundtrack to my childhood,” Davis said. “I grew up listening to old school jazz, and she was THE icon.” Davis says that Nowlin had a major influence in picking this arrangement for the 2024 tour: “He said he feels that I have similar skills and versatility to Ella. I think that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received!”

Read Davis’ Biography

Saxophonist Master Sergeant Gregory Ridlington of Spokane, Wash., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in April 1999. Ridlington will solo in the following cities on tour: Morgantown, W.Va.; Terre Haute, Ind.; Carbondale, Ill.; Winfield, Kan.; Colby, Kan.; Greely, Colo.; Rexburg, Idaho; Spokane, Wash.; Ellensburg, Wash.

Ridlington looks to add extra flair to the Marine Band’s performance with his rendition of Henry Mancini’s Days of Wine and Roses, arranged by Marine Band Staff Arranger Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ninmer.

Ridlington described the energy Days of Wine and Roses will bring to the concert:

“I think the audience is going to enjoy the different feel of this piece; the samba in the middle of a band concert is going to be neat. It's a new twist that Lt. Col. Nowlin is putting on this program that I think listeners are really going to enjoy. A fun surprise of this arrangement is that Gunnery Sgt. Ninmer abandoned the original structure. The melody is all still there, but he reimagined it as a samba and gave it a harmonic background that fits that style better. It was a jolt at first, but it works well with a concert band. I'm looking forward to improvising on the tune and finding different ways to approach the music.”

In addition to his solo, Ridlington is looking forward to what he says is his favorite Marine Band tour. Ridlington grew up in Spokane, where he will once again perform during the 2024 tour.

“I've been on the West Coast Tour every year we’ve done it since I joined the Band in 1999. I always volunteer for this one because this tour ends in my home state of Washington. I grew up in Spokane and I always love to get back there! I have lots of friends and family planning to be in the audience; it will be great to see the people who have supported me throughout my life and career. It’s an amazing community and I love to be able to give back just a little bit when we're here.”

Read Ridlington’s Bio

Horn Player Master Gunnery Sgt. Hilary Harding of Princeton, Ky., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2003. She was appointed assistant principal horn in October 2012 and principal in May 2018. Harding will solo in the following cities on tour: Elkview, W.Va.; Urbana, Ill.; Paducah, Ky.; Lawrence, Kan.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Ogden, Utah; Pocatello, Idaho; Walla Walla, Wash.; Kennewick, Wash.

Richard Strauss’s Rondo from Horn Concerto #2 is a deceptively difficult piece of horn repertoire. Harding described the piece:

“Rondo from Horn Concerto #2 is not played as often as number one. It’s considered to be a harder piece, even though it sounds simple to the ear. It may not seem like it to the modern audience, but Strauss was a forward-leaning composer for his time and the tonalities he incorporated into this work are quite complex. One of my favorite parts of playing this selection is the way it highlights the entire group, not just the soloist. The horn section is so strong; I love the way it highlights the strengths of my colleagues!”

For Harding, a highlight of this year’s tour includes the Marine Band’s stop in Paducah, less than an hour from her hometown of Princeton. “Paducah has a special place in my heart,” Harding said. “It’s where I got married and I have a huge family who will be attending the concert to support me.”

“The President’s Own” will also perform at Krannert Hall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, where Harding earned a bachelor’s degree in music in 2000. “I haven’t played in Urbana since I graduated. Coming here 24 years later to perform as a member of the Marine Band is a dream come true.”

With over 20 years of service, Harding has a unique perspective on the Marine Band’s annual tour. “I went on my first Coast-to-Coast tour in 2004; I can’t believe that was 20 years ago. It never gets old seeing the country with your colleagues and friends. It’s an honor and a privilege to get out there every night and do the thing that I love in front of so many people across America.”

Read Harding’s Bio

Trumpet and Cornet Player Gunnery Sgt. Chris Larios of Overland Park, Kan., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2017. Larios will solo in the following cities on tour: McHenry, Md.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Bloomington, Ind.; St. Louis, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; Garden City, Kan.; Denver, Colo.; Provo, Utah; Boise, Idaho; Seattle, Wash.

During the 2024 Coast-to-Coast Tour, Larios will perform his own arrangement of prominent American cornetist Frank Simon’s “Miss Blue Bonnet.” Simon was a member of John Philip Sousa’s Sousa Band from 1914-20, performing as a cornetist and assistant conductor.

“No one starts their career on the cornet in 2024, but back in the day it was a much more common instrument,” Larios said. “It may look like a trumpet, but it’s a much different instrument. The cornet is more fluid, which incorporates well with this piece. ‘Miss Blue Bonnet’ is funny and a bit silly, it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Cornet playing is often referred to as sounding ‘easy,’ a quality I think will really come through to audiences.”

Larios’ roots with the cornet began in Kansas City, where he will solo during the 2024 tour. He grew up in the suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, and served as Principal Cornet for Kansas City’s Fountain City Brass prior to joining the Marine Band. He credits his band teacher, Paul Aubrey, for inspiring his love for the cornet and for introducing him to arranging. Aubrey will be in attendance for Larios’ homecoming along with Larios’ family and friends.

“I have a lot of people to thank who have supported me every step of the way,” Larios said. “This is my first time in Kansas City with the Marine Band; I can’t wait to make the most of it!”

Read Larios’ Bio

Read More about the 2024 Tour Programming and Locations