Marine Band Returns to Florence After Ten Years
For the first time in a decade, the Marine Band, famously known as “The President himself,” is set to perform in Florence as part of a national concert tour.
The band will offer a free concert at Norton Auditorium on the University of North Alabama campus on October 7th at 7:30 PM.
Since its inception in 1891, the Marine Band has shared its musical legacy through cross-country concerts, reaching audiences nationwide.
Next month marks the start of their 105th concert tour, featuring 28 performances over 30 days across several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and more.
“We’re really thrilled to keep up the tradition of the National Concert Tour,” stated Colonel Ryan Nowlin, the Director of the Marine Band. “The musicians are eager to showcase their talents live during this year’s tour.”
Nowlin has curated a program reminiscent of John Philip Sousa’s style, who initiated the national concert tradition. Attendees can look forward to a mix of traditional band repertoire, Sousa marches, contemporary pieces, and both vocal and instrumental solos, along with patriotic tributes to the military.
“Our audience members often express deep appreciation for the diverse experiences provided at Marine Band concerts, so we’ve designed our program to encompass a wide range of music that mirrors the richness of our national musical heritage,” Nowlin added.
Free tickets, with a limit of four per request, can be secured at www.marineband.marines.mil/tour. Seating will be on a general admission basis, with ticket holders required to arrive by 7:15 PM. Any unoccupied seats will then be available to those in the standby line.
The Marine Band, America’s oldest professional music ensemble, was founded in 1798 and has performed for every president since John Adams. Its mission, which has been termed “The President himself” since the era of Thomas Jefferson, is to provide musical accompaniment for the President and Marine Corps leaders.