Exclusive By: Kanwal Abidi
Washington D.C. “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band participated in the Inauguration of the
President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025. The Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. President since John Adams. Known as “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Practice makes perfect and the President’s Own Marine Band is rehearsing to make sure its presidential inauguration performances go off without a hitch. Thomas Jefferson was the first President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. An accomplished musician himself, he is credited with giving the Marine Band its nickname “The President’s Own.”
While seated directly beneath the platform, the Marine Band provides music for the inaugural ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to include “Hail to the Chief” after newly sworn-in President Donald Trump has taken the oath of office. Therefore, The President’s Own U.S. Marine Band will play Hail to the Chief right after Trump is sworn in.
The Marine Band is rehearsing for the inauguration ceremony and parade. Gunnery Sgt.
Rebecca Sieff said has played the horn for the Marine Band for the last 8 years. “Such a profound moment and honor that I get to be part of it,” Sieff said.
This year, the Marine Band will also be accompanying Lee Greenwood who will perform his famous song, God Bless the USA. Saxophone player and staff Sgt. Connor Mikula said they have been training for months for the historic day.
“We’re fortunate enough to collaborate with a lot of artists with what we do but this is particularly exciting because this is such a big stage,” Mikula said. “This is the best band in the world in my opinion so we have to play at a certain level that’s expected of us and every time we put our instrument to our mouth, we’re representing now just our band but our country.”
Master Gunnery Jenkins shall play Euphonium and recalls his 2017 inaugural ceremony experience as “Awesome as the weather was calm, and is now preparing for inclement weather has forecasted for 20 January 2025.” His message to the world is ‘Enjoy the music and stay warm,’ said Jenkins. He is looking forward to a energetic crowd as they shall witness Trump going back to the White House as 47th President of the United States, The President’s Own Marine Band has been providing the inaugural soundtrack since 1801 and spectators can catch their performance this Monday.
