United States Marine Band Visits Nebraska

Musicians of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band stand in uniform as the audience applauds. Photo by Macey Kroeger.

By Macey Kroeger

Each year during the month of September, the United States Marine Band tours a different region of the country. John Philip Sousa, the 17th director of the band, started this annual national tour back in 1891. The Marine Band has the honor to perform for the President of the United States.

This year, for their tour, they are traveling and performing in twelve different states across the Midwest. Their stop in Nebraska included four different locations. They performed in Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte and Scottsbluff on their way through to Wyoming.

Concordia band director and music professor Andrew Schultz encouraged his students to watch the United States Marine Band performance. Along with most of Concordia’s band members, Schultz attended the Lincoln performance of the Marine Band on Oct. 2nd.

“I was glad that so many students took the opportunity to go. I don’t know any sound that is more refined than the United States Marine Band,” Schultz said.

Also in attendance were senior Lydia Jeppesen and junior Thomas Johnson, who are music majors at Concordia. Jeppesen is preparing to apply for grad school in the area of music performance.

“I’m in a really big push right now to get ready for my senior recital and also audition for grad school,” Jeppesen said.

Listening to the United States Marine Band play a large variety of pieces with differing styles is something that will help Jeppesen grow as a musician. Johnson also left the concert with thoughts of his own.

“The tone and quality and the musicianship were excellent and something that is definitely worth striving for,” Johnson said.

The United States Marine Band tour tickets are free to the public. They end their tour on Nov. 1st in Pennsylvania. Schultz recommends that anyone should take up the opportunity to watch the Marine Band perform if they get the chance to.

“The group is a national treasure,” Schultz said. “The opportunity to hear one of those really beautiful parts of American culture is a real treat.”