JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will return to Jacksonville for a free concert at the University of North Florida on Oct. 9. The performance marks the ensemble’s first appearance in the city in 10 years.
The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Lazzara Performance Hall inside the UNF Fine Arts Center. Admission is free, but attendees must reserve tickets online in advance, with a limit of four tickets per request. All ticket holders must be seated by 7:15 p.m., after which remaining open seats will be released to standby guests.
Marine Band Director Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin programmed the Jacksonville performance in the style of John Philip Sousa, the band’s 17th director who initiated the tour tradition in 1891.
The concert will feature traditional band repertoire, Sousa marches, contemporary compositions, vocal and instrumental solos and a patriotic salute to the Armed Forces.
“We have tremendously appreciative patrons who come to Marine Band concerts for all types of different experiences, so our programs are designed to include a great variety of music that mirrors the wonderful diversity in our national musical heritage,” Nowlin said.
The concert is part of a 30-day National Concert Tour spanning 27 performances across Maryland, Va., N.C., S.C., Ga., Fla. and Alabama. President Benjamin Harrison first permitted Sousa to begin nationwide touring in 1891.
“We are incredibly excited to continue the tradition of our national concert tour,” Nowlin said. “Musicians of the band are more eager than ever to share their musical talents with audiences live and in-person on this year’s tour.”
Founded in 1798, the Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. It has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams and was given the name “The President’s Own” during the administration of Thomas Jefferson. The group’s official mission is to provide music for the President and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The concert will take place on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Doors close for ticket holders at 7:15 p.m., at which time any remaining unclaimed seats will be opened to patrons waiting in the standby line.
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