John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. He is known as "The March King" or the "American March King", to distinguish him from his British counterpart Kenneth J. Alford. Among Sousa's best-known marches are "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "Semper Fidelis", "The Liberty Bell", "The Thunderer", and "The Washington Post".
Wendell Cushing Neville was a major general of the Marine Corps as well as a Medal of Honor recipient and the 14th Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1929 and 1930.
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. Today, the Marine Band includes the Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles.
Merritt Austin Edson, Sr., known as "Red Mike", was a Major General in the United States Marine Corps, First President of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation and First Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety & Vermont State Police.
Colonel Katherine Amelia Towle was the second director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (USMCWR) and the first director of Women Marines.
Ralph M. Gambone is a former United States Navy officer. He served as Leader/Officer in Charge of the U.S. Navy Band from August 13, 1998 to March 2007. Prior to that, he served as Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland.
John Everett Beal is an American composer and conductor known for his work in the American film industry. He has conducted for major recording artists ranging from Olivia Newton-John to Deadmau5, movies in concert such as Star Wars, Toy Story, Home Alone, Rocketman and the Harry Potter series, is the principal conductor of the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, is considered by the New York Times as the pioneer of original scores for film trailer music, and has composed the music for numerous television series and films.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Vivian Dunn was a British conductor who was Director of Music of the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines from 1931 to 1953 and Principal Director of Music of the Royal Marines from 1953 to 1968. He was the first British Armed Forces musician to be knighted.
Nigel Clarke is a British composer and musician. He is a former head of composition and contemporary music at the London College of Music and Media.
Wheeler L. Baker is a retired U.S. Marine who served as the ninth President of Hargrave Military Academy from 1999 to 2011, and again from 2017 to 2018.
Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel is the former Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force Band, United States Air Force Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Band and the 29th DIV Band of the Virginia Army National Guard. Gabriel has four sons, one daughter, and thirteen grandchildren.
Jerry Junkin is an American conductor of wind bands and educator. Junkin serves on the faculty of the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin where he holds the Vincent R. and Jane D. DiNino Chair for the Director of Bands. He conducts the University of Texas Wind Ensemble and instructs graduate as well as undergraduate conducting courses. Additionally, Junkin has served as the conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony since 1993.
Colonel Truman W. "Tru" Crawford (USMC) was a music arranger, composer, and conductor for drum and bugle corps. He was the long-time commander and director of "The Commandant's Own," the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps after having previously served as musical director of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps.
Major General Peter John Talleri retired in September, 2013, after serving 34 years in the United States Marine Corps. At retirement, Maj. Gen. Talleri was the U. S. Marine Corps senior logistics professional in the Pacific.
Sara Sheffield is an American singer and Marine from Jacksonville, Texas who, in 2005, became the first female feature vocalist in the history of the United States Marine Band.
Ralph Birchard DeWitt was an officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. The United States Naval Academy graduate, he spent his career mostly in Quartermaster Department and completed his service as commanding general, Marine Supply Center Barstow.
George Joseph O'Shea was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He was decorated with the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, during Battle of Sapotillal in October 1927. O'Shea served in the Pacific theater during World War II and retired in 1952 as director of 1st Marine Corps Reserve District in Boston.
Russell Nelton Jordahl was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A Veteran of World War II, Korea and several expeditionary tours, Jordahl completed his career as commanding general, Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific.
Jason K. Fettig is a band director, conductor, and former Marine colonel who currently works as Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. Before his hiring, he served as the 28th director of the United States Marine Band and music adviser to the President of the United States.
Stephen Goodwin Olmstead was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with a rank of Lieutenant General. His last assignment was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Policy and Enforcement and the Director of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Enforcement.
