Join “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for an action-packed program at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center featuring George Bizet’s renowned and wonderfully dramatic Carmen Symphony. The concert will showcase guest artist Michael Sachs, principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra, performing the Wynton Marsalis Trumpet Concerto.

 PIVOT by Anna Clyne opens the concert on a high note. Named after a 200-year-old folk music venue and pub in Edinburgh, Clyne’s piece pays tribute to her time at the Edinburgh Festival; the composition pulls tunes from traditional Scottish and American fiddle music. 

Written for Michael Sachs, Wynton Marsalis’ Concerto for Trumpet showcases the comprehensive abilities of the trumpet as well as different genres throughout the ages. Marsalis used his diverse musical background to craft a piece where each movement reflects a unique style or technique special to the trumpet. Listen for the influence of the early greats, such Philip Smith, Doc Severinsen, Rafael Mendez, Charles “Cootie” Williams, Dizzy Gillespie and more.

Michael Sachs joined The Cleveland Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in 1988. From 1988 until 2023, he served as Chair of the Brass Division and Head of the Trumpet Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Sachs became the trumpet instructor at The Curtis Institute of Music in the fall of 2024. He has been a featured soloist on many occasions and is internationally recognized as a leading teacher, chamber musician, recitalist and more. Trumpet fanatics and music lovers alike are sure to be delighted by this extraordinary show of musicianship.

Next on the program, “The President’s Own” will host the world premiere of Coincident Dances by Jessie Montgomery. Her piece is inspired by fast-moving and diverse New York City sights and sounds. Montgomery said,

“My reason for choosing these styles sometimes stemmed from an actual experience of accidentally hearing a pair simultaneously, which happens most days of the week walking down the streets of New York, or one time when I heard a parked car playing Latin jazz while I had rhythm and blues in my headphones.”

The concert concludes with Bizet’s Carmen Symphony. You will instantly recognize the iconic melodies present throughout this opera as it follows a tragic narrative of passion, jealousy, obsession and revenge.

Join us for an exciting program at 2 p.m. on April 13 at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. This is one you don’t want to miss!