The Marine Band is amazing

Last Monday the U.S. Marine band played at the Wharton Center and it was an incredible concert. It was directed by Colonel Michael J. Colburn with Major Jason K. Fettig as the Assistant Director.

"The Fairest of the Fair", march by John Phillips Sousa- Apparently this awesome band leader wrote this after spying on some lady. It's a nice march, but not genius.

"A Fugal Overture, Opus 40, No. 1"- by Gustav Holst. I've played "First Suite in Eb" and "Mars" in band class.

"Colloquy" by William Goldstein. Trombwnage!! The nation was in the throes of Depression and this twenty-year old composer wrote a piece featuring trombone to lift spirits. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bryan Bourne made it look easy. The piece was not one of my favorites, but was delivered standing without music. It involved seamlessly stratospheric notes. He became the principal trombone in '91, I think, but he's not the section leader for some reason. Gunnery Sergeant Chris Clark is.

Now here we come to the highlight of the concert, and one of my new favorite pieces for band. "La Fiesta Mexicana" was written by former Director of Composition at MSU H. Owen Reed. He wrote it in 1949 after staying in Mexico for half a year. It's a phenomenal work of art. The arranging is so creative, the transitions so seamless, that I was prepared to denounce every other genre for its lack of artistry and creativity. I've only had that sensation twice before: In my younger years I shunned all secular music; and now as I come to realize that progressive metal is the greatest type of music being produced today.
After that musical onslaught, John Phillips Sousa sounds like an idiot. They played the official Marine Corps. song, written by JPS in 1889. "Semper Fidelus" was obviously going to be in the lineup.
After a short Intermission, the group returned with my second-favorite piece: “Three Dances from The Three-Cornered Hat.” Pablo Picasso designed the sets and costumes for The Three-Cornered Hat. Isn’t that something? Stephen Sondheim is evidently important, because the announcer lady that the audience presumed to be an orator and doter upon the group’s talent actually gave an admirable vocal performance. I didn’t actually know any of the songs though…
Following the obligatory national march and stand-up-veterans-anthem thing, my family departed, glad we didn’t stay home to watch Chuck that night.