U.S. Marine Band Will Perform In Warsaw Nov. 9

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

The President's Own U.S. Marine Band will appear in Warsaw Community High School gymnasium Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m.

Within a month of the military band's announced appearance, 4,000 admission tickets for the free Sunday concert were requested.

Doors open for ticket-holders at 1:30 p.m. Non-ticket holders may take seats beginning at 2:15 p.m. The only open entrance to the school will be the gated entryway on the south side of the building.

Floor seats are reserved for the handicapped, the elderly and individuals with mobility problems.

A portion of the parking area behind the school, between the school and the baseball diamond, will be closed.

According to local coordinator John Elliott, 95 percent of the tickets were requested by Kosciusko County residents. He figures there should be plenty of seating left, as the gym holds 5,000.

Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is unique: To provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps.

Whether performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, state Dinners, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House more than 200 times each year. These performances range from a solo harpist or chamber orchestra to a dance band or full concert band, making versatility an important requirement for band members. Additionally, the band participates in more than 500 public and official performances annually, including concerts and ceremonies throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Each year the band tours one of five Department of Defense-designated geographic regions of the United States, returning to America's heartland this year from Oct. 5 to Nov. 23.

Performing concerts throughout the Midwest, visiting southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, Ohio, northern Indiana, Michigan, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, the Marine Band is dedicating this year's tour to the military personnel, civilians and families who supported the war on terrorism.

The band performs in 44 cities over the course of 51 days, a tradition enacted by 17th director John Philip Sousa at the turn of the 20th century.

Though Sousa grew up with the Marine Band - his father, also a band member, enlisted Sousa as an apprentice musician with the band at age 13 - "The President's Own" was Sousa's first opportunity to conduct a military band. Sousa, already an experienced orchestra conductor, approached musical matters unlike many of his predecessors. He replaced much of the band's repertoire with symphonic transcriptions and tailored the instrumentation to meet his needs. Rehearsals became exceptionally strict and efficient, which helped shape the Marine Band into the nation's premier group of wind musicians. As a result, Marine Band concerts began to attract a devoted audience, and the band's reputation spread quickly across the nation.

Sousa immediately moved to capitalize on the escalating popularity of the Marine Band and appealed directly to the president to take the band on a national tour. In 1891, President Benjamin Harrison officially sanctioned the first Marine Band tour, a tradition that continues today.

The Marine Band's annual concert tour is sponsored by local organizations that plan, promote and present Marine Band concerts free of charge to their communities as a public service. In Kosciusko County, the Times-Union is sponsoring the band's appearance. In other areas, tour sponsors include community groups, music educators and professional musical organizations.

"The importance of our tour sponsors, cosponsors and assisting organizations cannot be overstated," said Marine Band National Tour Director Dennis Burian. "While the Marine Corps pays for all costs associated with the Marine Band's transportation, food and lodging, the tour sponsor is responsible for all other aspects of the concert. In preparing for the upcoming 2003 tour, we have had the pleasure to work with dozens of enthusiastic supporters from the Midwest. Without our tour sponsors and their hard work, there would be no tour.

"This year's tour soloists span a wide range of our personnel, featuring seasoned members and some of the newest musicians in the organization," said Marine Band Director Col. Timothy W. Foley. "For example, tour audiences will have the opportunity to hear SSgt. Ridlington, who has been with the band since 1999 and recently was a featured soloist during the Marine Band's 205th anniversary concert, guest conducted by John Williams."

To honor Sousa's original vision for the tour, concert programs chosen by Foley feature selections ranging from traditional marches and historic band repertoire to modern works and instrumental soloists. The tour concert program is specifically designed to showcase the different components of the Marine Band, and will feature works by Sousa, Michael Gandolfi and John Williams.

"The President's Own" also will perform selections by 19th-century composer Hector Berlioz to commemorate the bicentenary of his birth. For this tour, Foley chose four soloists to showcase the virtuosity of the band.

These musicians include clarinetist Master Gunnery Sgt. Lisa Kadala, saxophonist SSgt. Gregory Ridlington, trumpet player SSgt. Thomas Hooten and concert moderator and baritone vocalist SSgt. Kevin Bennear. [[In-content Ad]]

The President's Own U.S. Marine Band will appear in Warsaw Community High School gymnasium Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m.

Within a month of the military band's announced appearance, 4,000 admission tickets for the free Sunday concert were requested.

Doors open for ticket-holders at 1:30 p.m. Non-ticket holders may take seats beginning at 2:15 p.m. The only open entrance to the school will be the gated entryway on the south side of the building.

Floor seats are reserved for the handicapped, the elderly and individuals with mobility problems.

A portion of the parking area behind the school, between the school and the baseball diamond, will be closed.

According to local coordinator John Elliott, 95 percent of the tickets were requested by Kosciusko County residents. He figures there should be plenty of seating left, as the gym holds 5,000.

Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is unique: To provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps.

Whether performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, state Dinners, or receptions, Marine Band musicians appear at the White House more than 200 times each year. These performances range from a solo harpist or chamber orchestra to a dance band or full concert band, making versatility an important requirement for band members. Additionally, the band participates in more than 500 public and official performances annually, including concerts and ceremonies throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Each year the band tours one of five Department of Defense-designated geographic regions of the United States, returning to America's heartland this year from Oct. 5 to Nov. 23.

Performing concerts throughout the Midwest, visiting southwestern Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, Ohio, northern Indiana, Michigan, northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, the Marine Band is dedicating this year's tour to the military personnel, civilians and families who supported the war on terrorism.

The band performs in 44 cities over the course of 51 days, a tradition enacted by 17th director John Philip Sousa at the turn of the 20th century.

Though Sousa grew up with the Marine Band - his father, also a band member, enlisted Sousa as an apprentice musician with the band at age 13 - "The President's Own" was Sousa's first opportunity to conduct a military band. Sousa, already an experienced orchestra conductor, approached musical matters unlike many of his predecessors. He replaced much of the band's repertoire with symphonic transcriptions and tailored the instrumentation to meet his needs. Rehearsals became exceptionally strict and efficient, which helped shape the Marine Band into the nation's premier group of wind musicians. As a result, Marine Band concerts began to attract a devoted audience, and the band's reputation spread quickly across the nation.

Sousa immediately moved to capitalize on the escalating popularity of the Marine Band and appealed directly to the president to take the band on a national tour. In 1891, President Benjamin Harrison officially sanctioned the first Marine Band tour, a tradition that continues today.

The Marine Band's annual concert tour is sponsored by local organizations that plan, promote and present Marine Band concerts free of charge to their communities as a public service. In Kosciusko County, the Times-Union is sponsoring the band's appearance. In other areas, tour sponsors include community groups, music educators and professional musical organizations.

"The importance of our tour sponsors, cosponsors and assisting organizations cannot be overstated," said Marine Band National Tour Director Dennis Burian. "While the Marine Corps pays for all costs associated with the Marine Band's transportation, food and lodging, the tour sponsor is responsible for all other aspects of the concert. In preparing for the upcoming 2003 tour, we have had the pleasure to work with dozens of enthusiastic supporters from the Midwest. Without our tour sponsors and their hard work, there would be no tour.

"This year's tour soloists span a wide range of our personnel, featuring seasoned members and some of the newest musicians in the organization," said Marine Band Director Col. Timothy W. Foley. "For example, tour audiences will have the opportunity to hear SSgt. Ridlington, who has been with the band since 1999 and recently was a featured soloist during the Marine Band's 205th anniversary concert, guest conducted by John Williams."

To honor Sousa's original vision for the tour, concert programs chosen by Foley feature selections ranging from traditional marches and historic band repertoire to modern works and instrumental soloists. The tour concert program is specifically designed to showcase the different components of the Marine Band, and will feature works by Sousa, Michael Gandolfi and John Williams.

"The President's Own" also will perform selections by 19th-century composer Hector Berlioz to commemorate the bicentenary of his birth. For this tour, Foley chose four soloists to showcase the virtuosity of the band.

These musicians include clarinetist Master Gunnery Sgt. Lisa Kadala, saxophonist SSgt. Gregory Ridlington, trumpet player SSgt. Thomas Hooten and concert moderator and baritone vocalist SSgt. Kevin Bennear. [[In-content Ad]]

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