United States Marine Band to perform at ECU on Oct. 3
The United States Marine Band “The President’s Own” will hold a free performance at East Carolina University’s Wright Auditorium on Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
“’The President’s Own’ is perhaps the finest wind ensemble in the United States. It’s an honor to host these musicians on behalf of the citizens of the region,” said Michael Crane, producing artistic director of the S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series, a co-sponsor of the event. “The musicality on stage, coupled with the workshops and master classes the members offer behind the scenes to K-12 and university students, makes this event exceptionally valuable in our community. Hosting the band exemplifies ECU’s motto, ‘to serve.’”
There are fewer than 200 tickets remaining for the performance. Tickets can be reserved at https://marineband.ticketleap.com
People without tickets who want to attend are asked to arrive at the auditorium on Oct. 3 by 6:45 p.m., when any extra tickets will start being distributed. At 7:15 p.m., everyone will be allowed in the auditorium until seats are filled, so ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early to claim their seat.
The United States Marine Band provides music for the President of the United States, state arrival ceremonies, dinners and receptions. The band appears at the White House more than 200 times each year, and participates in more than 500 public and official performances across the country during the fall concert tour.
At ECU, the program will include John Phillip Sousa marches, such as “Semper Fidelis” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever;” however, the program also presents a diversity of wind ensemble literature, possibly including film music by John Williams, Bach’s “Fantasia and Fugue in C minor,” and selections from Wagner, Bernstein, Holst and Puccini.
Parking enforcement will be relaxed for the event, allowing patrons to park near the auditorium in A1 spaces that are not specially designated or reserved. Those with handicap plates and tags can park in designated spots on Wright Circle and Beckwith Drive on a first-come, first-served basis.
Patrons with walkers and wheelchairs may use an elevator located at the Dowdy Student Stores entrance. Assistive listening devices are available on request at the event. Large print programs for the visually impaired are available when requested at least 48 hours in advance.
The performance is co-sponsored by ECU’s S. Rudolph Alexander Performing Arts Series and Cooke Communications.
Established in 1798 by an Act of Congress signed by President John Adams, the United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization.
The band made its White House debut on New Year’s Day, 1801, and has performed at the inauguration of every President since Thomas Jefferson, who is credited with giving the band the title, “The President’s Own.”
In 1891, the band’s legendary 17th director, John Philip Sousa, led the Marine Band on its first concert tour. As a result, for more than 100 years, the Marine Band has toured throughout the country performing in communities both large and small. Marine Band concerts offer a unique blend of traditional concert band and contemporary wind ensemble music suitable for people of all ages and musical tastes.
For questions, contact Michael Crane at cranemi@ecu.edu or 252-328-5386.
–Crystal Baity