As 8 p.m. approached on Tuesday night, the Caruth Auditorium began to fill up with students, staff, and Dallas residents all in attendance to see “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Americas oldest professional musical organization. With a proud tradition of bringing music to the White House and the American people, the band has been on a short tour this past month playing in various masters’ classes and concert halls.
The brass quintet members promptly entered the stage and opened the concert with a profound melody named “Fire Dance” by Anthony DiLorenzo. Upon conclusion of their opening piece, Master Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Harding gave a brief introduction about the band and next piece of music that they would be performing entitled “Four Madrigals” by Claudio Monteverdi.
“ I love brass music and band music,” said Dallas resident Heidi Son.https://smudailycampus.camayak.com/#
United States Marine Band quintet plays in SMU’s Caruth Auditorium
Son and her family live in Boaz Commons here at SMU. Son was in attendance with her little boy Jeffery who also has an interest in music.
“My son Jeffery started learning trombone this school year so I thought he would enjoy the concert,” said Son.
As the concert progressed, each member of the band would stand up and introduce the next piece of music. Gunnery Sgt. Hilary Harding presented “Suite Francaise, Opus 248” by Darius Milhaud. The soothing song ended and the quintet exited the stage to a round of applause.
After a brief intermission, the quintet was back on stage. Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Tiedeman introduced the next piece of music that was to be performed called, “The Threepenny Opera” by Kurt Weill. As the quintet ended the piece, a loud applause broke the somber mood that the song projected.
“It’s a very good group – “The Presidents Own Band”- all their ensembles are excellent,” said Date Young.
Young is a sophomore music education major on tuba at SMU. Young attended the event for the quality of music and a special connection that he was able to make with the quintet.
“I played in a brass quintet a little myself and just hearing professional players play my instrument so well is always exciting to go and see,” said Young.
Master Sgt. Michael Mergen was up next to announce the final piece of the night titled “Brass Quintet No. 2, Opus 6” by Victor Ewald. After the quintet played their last official song of the night, Master Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Harding addressed the audience one last time to thank them for attending the concert.
When elementary student and trombone player Jeffery Son was asked about his favorite part of the night, he found it to be a difficult choice.
“It’s all so good. Maybe “Fire Dance” that one was really good,” said Son.
Young, who was asked a similar question, was particularly impressed by one of the instruments that was being played.
“The cimbasso was pretty neat. You don’t see that very often. It’s a cool instrument, “ said Young.
As a final farewell to close out the night, the quintet would be playing the songs of the different branches of the military. Each song was proudly performed moving members of the audience to stand up when they heard their branch’s song. As the last note echoed throughout the auditorium, the quintet bowed to a standing ovation.
