I have been a bandsman since the 1940s, but up until last Friday, I had never seen or heard the United States Marine Band (The Presidents Own) I had studied the band and in particular, its role in the Civil War when Claudio S Graffula was the director and John Phillip Sousa’s father played trombone. I can recall a photo of the band during the Civil War, when John Phillip, then a lad of about 4 years stood beside his dad.

As I sat in the audience in Fond du Lac Wisconsin and listened to musical perfection, I could not help but wonder how the band in 1862 would stack up against this band in 2008. I am sure the 1862 band was far superior to the Regimental bands of the period, but against the 2008 band, I dont think they stand a chance.

With me at the concert was Dan Woolpert, who directed the 1st Brigade Band for over 2 decades. We were in awe of the musical talent we were witnessing. In particular the woodwinds caught our attention and I must say that when the piccolo section came out to play their refrain it sounded like 1 piccolo. On the Classical selections, the woodwinds were perfection.

All in all, it was an evening I will never forget. You could try and listen for a mistake or a cracked note in the French Horn solo, but there was none.

If you ever get a chance to hear the U.S. Marine Band, dont pass it up. It is band music at its very best.