Marine band to stop at Westfield High
“The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band will perform a diverse mix of traditional band repertoire, marches and a salute to the Armed Forces at the Philip Geiger Performing Arts Center at Westfield High School at 3 p.m. on Oct. 4. Admission is free and sponsored by the Spring Independent School District, but advance tickets are available online.
Founded in 1798 by a congressional act, the marine band is the country’s oldest continuously active professional music organization and it performs publicly more than 500 times a year. It is directed by Lt. Col. Jason K. Fettig.
The performance is a stop on the organization’s month-long 2015 tour, which will make its way across the South and Southwest through midOctober.
“We are very excited to have ‘The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band make Spring ISD part of their national concert tour,” said Joe Clark, director of performing and visual arts for Spring ISD. “They travel and perform nationwide hundreds of times for the president of the United States. Their one-night performance at Spring ISD offers our students and community a chance to see a legendary professional and renowned musical organization free of cost.”
This year, the band has release a three-disc compilation that highlights lesser-known works of its 17th director, John Philip Sousa — who composed some of the most memorable marches performed by the organization including the country’s national march “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Semper Fidelis” and “The Liberty Bell.” It was Sousa who also first organized a national tour for the band.
Advance online tickets are available for the free performance, limit four per request, at www. marineband.ticketleap. com. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and the doors open at 2:15 p.m. At 2:45 p.m., non-ticket holders will be admitted until all available seating is taken.
Westfield High School’s Phillip K. Geiger Performing Arts Center is located at 16713 Ella Blvd. in Houston. Learn more at www.marineband. marines.mil.