My wife and I got to take in the U.S. Marine Band "President's Own" concert last night at the Raymond Kravis Center for Performing Arts here in West Palm Beach. Kravis Center seats 2200 and it was sold out. As expected, it was a great concert! To my delight they performed Tom Davoren's "Ascension" featuring SSgt Hiram Diaz on euphonium and GySgt Amy McCabe on trumpet. Great playing -- and all from memory too! They both demonstrated wonderful musicality while looking very relaxed on stage. (see this link for program notes on "Ascension" if interested). They also played an encore but I forget the name. It kind of reminded me of 'dueling banjos' but more tasteful and dramatic.
I got to speak briefly with one of their newer tuba players, SSgt Landres Bryant. Landres is from West Palm Beach and attended Dreyfoos School of the Arts High School. I remember about 14 years ago sitting next to Landres when he was a sophomore. It was a comm band where Fred Dart was assistant conductor. One summer that band helped fund a trip for Landres to Interlochen. I was very impressed with Landres' playing. Even as a 15 y.o. he had a great tone and range. I think I counted 6 or 7 octave Bb's when he was warming up. He got his undergrad from Michigan and Masters' from Yale.
If you ever get the chance to see/hear any of the great military bands perform, don't miss it.
Raymond F. Kravis Ctr for Performing Arts: