A full Shryock Auditorium is thrilled with nation’s top band
By Jim Beers
“The Presidents Own” United States Marine Band was in Carbondale, Illinois Tuesday October 8 to perform for a sold-out crowd at Southern Illinois University’s Shryock Auditorium. It was a rare performance from the nation’s top band and music enthusiasts came from across the region to witness this once-in-a-lifetime concert.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band poses for an encore photo following their masterful performance at Southern Illinois University Tuesday October 8 at Shryock Auditorium. Jim Beers Photo
The SIU Music Department hosted the event and made all of the arrangements with the United States Marines and the Federal Government to have the famed Marine Band appear at SIU.
The event was free-of-charge as the band travels and performs as a part of its obligations to the Marines and the citizens of the United States. Concert attendees had to have a much-seeked ticket to enter Shryock Auditorium, however. Tickets could be obtained by going on line and requesting such via a simple application process.
A sell-out crowd packed Shryock Auditorium Tuesday October 8 for the stellar performance by “The President’s Own United States Marine Band” on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Jim Beers Photo
Just enough tickets were issued to fill all seats in Shryock Auditorium. The doors to Shryock Auditorium were opened at precisely 6:45 P.M and ticket-holders had to be seated in Shryock by 7:15 P.M. After that time, empty seats were made available to those in a long waiting line outside. Prior to 6:45 P.M. excited fans waited in a huge line that spanned the entire courtyard in front of the auditorium.
The concert began at 7:30 p.m. with the National Anthem. The band then played a fanfare as everyone focused their attention on the stage. A very talented concert moderator, SSgt Hannah Davis, guided the audience through the various songs from beginning to the very end of the evening’s performance.
The United States Marine Band Director, Lieutenant Ryan Nowlin, was introduced, receiving a huge ovation. 1st Lieutenant Jose D. Toranzo, Assistant Director, was alsao on hand to share directing duties on a song or two.
The concert began with March, “Colossus of Columbia” by Russell Alexander (1877-1915). The second selection was, Vanity Fair, by Percy E. Fletcher (1879-1932). This piece was transcribed by Brant Karrick.
The third song of the five-song first half was, Adoration, by Florence Price (1887-1953). This song was arranged by Cheldon Williams.
A more upbeat and well-known song, Days of Wine and Roses, was the fourth song of the first half. This song was written by the famous, Henry Mancini (1924-1994). A member of the Marine Band, Gy Sgt Scott Ninmer, arranged this version of the song. MSgt Gregory Ridlington, performed a tenor saxophone solo. The crowd demanded an encore after this song.
To close out the first half of the concert, the Marine Band performed, “Jupiter” from The Planets, Opus 32, by Gustav Holst (1874-1934. The song was transcribed by Merlin Patterson. Most everyone in the auditorium was familiar with this popular masterpiece, even the younger attendees who watch the children’s show, “Bluey”. This song was featured on an episode of Bluey titled, “Sleepy Time”. Jupiter called for encore #2.
Immediately following the last notes of “Jupiter”, there was a 15-minute intermission at which time the audience had an opportunity to stretch, use the restroom, get a drink, and visit the United States Marines information and recruitment table in the lobby.
The second half of the concert opened with a lively march titled, Commando March, by Samuel Barber (1910-1981). There couldn’t have been a better song to get the audience back into concert mode.
Dr. Christopher Morehouse (center) proudly poses with “The President’s Own United States Marine Band” after he directed a performance of the band titled, “Commando March” by Samuel Barber (1910-81). Morehouse, Professor of Music at SIU-C, was chosen to be a guest director at the premiere concert of the top military musical group in the United States on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The SIU School of Music helped to bring this elite group to Southern Illinois Tuesday October 8 for this very special evening of great music. Jim Beers Photo
SIU Professor of Music, Dr. Christopher Morehouse, was called to the stage to direct this number. His presence aroused the crowd which was heavily inhabited with SIU music students and others who were familiar with him and his musical accomplishments.
The next song was a three-part song which included, The Neighbor’s Dance, The Miller’s Dance, and Dance Final (Jota). That song was composed by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946), and transcribed by Donald Patterson, a member of the U.S. Marine Band.
“Hooray for Hollywood” was the third song of the second set. It was composed by Richard W. Whiting (1891-1938), and arranged by John Williams and transcribed by Jay Bocook.
The entire audience was very shocked and amazed by the next performance. SSgt Hannah Davis, who had served as Concert Moderator throughout the entire program, made the announcement that the next song would be, “Ah Je veux vivre” from Romeo and Juliette.
She, by this time, had done an amazing job of becoming very familiar with the audience, and she was well known for having a beautiful speaking voice and for being extremely well versed as a public speaker.
After making the announcement that the song was composed by Charles Gound (1818-1893), and that GY Sgt Scott Ninmer had arranged it, Davis stepped to the microphone next to Director, Ryan Nowlin, and began to sing. Davis was fantastic and “brought the house down” with her opera-style performance. The experience was special for most in attendance and Davis received a standing ovation for her efforts!
No concert involved with a military event would be complete without a performance of the popular song, March “The Stars and Stripes Forever”. The audience anticipated a blow-out performance being that “The President’s Own United States Marine Band” was performing the number.
This version was composed by none other than John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), who was a member and director of the United States Marine Band (1810-92). The entire crowd was on their feet during this performance, complete with hand clapping and cheering. A hearty round of applause was received by the band at the end.
To complete the concert, the band performed “A Salute to the Armed Forces of the United States of America” which included ALL branches of the service including Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, and the newest branch the Space Force.
Concert Moderator, SSgt Hannah Davis, announced the name of each branch of service as the theme song of that branch was being performed. Veterans in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized as their branch was being recognized.
Immediately following the conclusion of the salute to veterans, SSgt Hannah Davis broke into singing “God Bless America”. She was automatically joined by the entire audience who stood and joined her for two stanzas of the American favorite.
The President’s Own Marine Band has a mission of providing music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The band made its debut at the White House New Year’s Day 1801.
The current band consists of a total of 57 musicians, a stage manager, and six sage hands. Instrumentation includes Piccolo (1); Flute (3); Oboe (1); Oboe/English Horn (2); E-Flat Clarinet (1); B-Flat Clarinet (10); Bass Clarinet (2), Bassoon (2); Saxophone (4); Cornet/Trumpet (8); Horn (5); Trombone (3); Bass Trombone (1); Euphonium (2); Tuba (3); Timpani (1); Percussion (5); Double Bass (1); Harp (1); and Concert Moderator/Vocalist (1).
Traveling with the band are two Recording Engineers (2); a Stage Manager (1); and six Stage Crew Members (6), the Director (1) and the Assistant Director (1) for total of 68 Marines.