In the Footsteps of Sousa: Forty-two Years of Leading the “President’s Own”
Clinic Synopsis:
The last four Directors of the President’s Own will be present to discuss their memories and experiences during their tenure in leading what many have described as the finest band in the world. Our discussion will include memories of specific events, concerts, guest artists, inaugurations, etc.
Terry Austin
- Biographical Information
Terry Austin is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University where he oversees all aspects of the band program and teaches courses in conducting, and music education. Under his leadership, the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has earned a reputation for musical excellence and has been invited to perform at many professional conferences including the American Bandmasters Association, MENC, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Virginia Music Educators Association. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator and is published in numerous journals and is the general editor of The Journal of Band Research, A Repertoire Anthology (1964-1989) published by GIA. Dr. Austin is a regular guest conductor of the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble and is a Guest Professor of the Center of General Education of Guangdong University of Technology in Guangzhou, China. He is the Chair of the Department of Music at VCU. Austin was the 78th President of the American Bandmasters Association. He served as the chairman of the National Band Association/William D. Revelli Band Composition Contest from 1995-2018, is chairman of the Bandworld/John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor, a member of the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and a past board member of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, the Southern Division of NAfME: The National Association for Music Education and past-president of the Virginia Music Educators Association. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Beta Mu, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Dr. Austin is included in Who’s Who In America, Who's Who in Fine Arts Higher Education, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He is a multiple recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and in 2005 he received the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Distinguished Achievement Award of Excellence. He founded and conducts the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble, an ensemble of the finest high school musicians in the Richmond metropolitan area, and the Commonwealth Winds, an ensemble comprised of Richmond area teachers and professional performers. Austin earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Hawaii, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Tracia and twin sons Joshua and Seth.
Colonel (retired) John Bourgeois - Biographical Information
Director Emeritus Colonel John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.), was the 25th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. His acclaimed career spanned nine presidential administrations, from Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower to Bill Clinton. Bourgeois is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and entered “The President’s Own” as a French hornist and arranger in 1958. Named Director of the Marine Band in 1979, Bourgeois was promoted to colonel in June 1983. He retired from active duty July 11, 1996.As Director of “The President’s Own,” Bourgeois was Music Advisor to the White House. He selected the musical program and directed the band on its traditional place of honor at the U.S. Capitol for four Presidential inaugurations, a Marine Band tradition dating to 1801. He regularly conducted the Marine Band and the Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, appearing there more frequently than any other musician in the nation.Under Bourgeois’ leadership the Marine Band presented its first overseas performances in history, traveling to the Netherlands in 1985 where “The President’s Own” performed with the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy. In February 1990, Bourgeois led the Marine Band on an historic 18-day concert tour of the former Soviet Union as part of the first U.S.-U.S.S.R. Armed Forces band exchange. He also directed the Marine Band on 16 nationwide tours, bringing the music of “The President’s Own” to the American people.Bourgeois is past president of the American Bandmasters Association, chairman of the board and past president of the National Band Association, president of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and the American vice president of the International Military Music Society. He has served on the boards of directors for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles and the Association of Concert Bands. As Director of the Marine Band, Bourgeois was Music Director of Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Gridiron Club. He is a member of the Military Order of the Carabao, the Alfalfa Club, and the College Band Directors National Association.Among the many honors and awards Bourgeois has received are the 1986 Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award and the 1987 Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award for “contributions to the growth and development of modern college and university bands.” In 1993, he was awarded the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honor. Bourgeois was elected to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Artists of the National Band Association in 1988 and received the 1991 Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Citation “for service and dedication to music and country.”Bourgeois conducted his final concert as Director of “The President’s Own,” July 11, 1996 (the band’s 198th birthday), at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. More than 3,500 people, including prominent musicians and government dignitaries, attended the gala event. Former Presidents Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter, as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan sent letters of gratitude and praise that were read at the concert. Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton hailed Bourgeois as “a national treasure” and presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal from President Clinton. Marine Corps Commandant General Charles C. Krulak compared Bourgeois to the band’s 17th Director, John Philip Sousa, saying, “Our Corps has not only had John Philip Sousa, we have now had a John Bourgeois. His legacy will never be forgotten by the Marine Corps or our nation.” The change of command received national attention, being covered by CNN, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. ABC’s Peter Jennings selected Bourgeois as the Evening News “Person of the Week.”After the change of command concert, The Washington Post’s chief music critic wrote, “Bourgeois leaves his ensemble in terrific shape; indeed, it would be hard to imagine any band playing with greater vigor, precision, and timbral variety … Washington is very generous with its standing ovations. But Bourgeois deserved each and every one he received last night.”Since retiring from the Marine Band, Bourgeois has been actively involved in music as a guest conductor, has published new editions of classic band compositions, and is a visiting professor in a chair endowed in his name at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Colonel (retired) Timothy Foley - Biographical Information
Twenty-sixth Director of “The President’s Own” Colonel Timothy W. Foley led the United States Marine Band into its third century of service to the President of the United States and the United States Marine Corps. Foley was a strong and visionary leader for “The President’s Own,” lifting the organization to new heights in terms of its musical and ceremonial reputation. His skills as a musician and conductor are among the greatest ever witnessed by the organization and were exceeded only by his modesty and unwavering commitment to excellence. Foley’s dedication to the Marine Band and commitment to advancement through musical versatility and diverse repertoire are evident in the present-day distinction of the men and women of “The President’s Own.”Foley began his musical career on the clarinet. He studied with Anthony Gigliotti of The Philadelphia Orchestra while attending high school in his hometown of Berwick, Pa. After graduation, Foley studied clarinet at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio and, for two years, was a member of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra in Pittsburgh.Foley enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to “The President’s Own” in June 1968. He served as a clarinetist for 11 years, until he was named Assistant Director in 1979 and commissioned a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Seventeen years later, on July 11, 1996, the band’s 198th birthday, Foley was designated Director of “The President’s Own.” In October of that year, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Foley was promoted to colonel in an Oval Office ceremony performed by President Bill Clinton in June 1999. He also received the Legion of Merit, presented that day by 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps General Charles C. Krulak.In his first years as Director, Foley brought to the podium two distinguished American conductors, Leonard Slatkin and Frederick Fennell, a first in Marine Band history. He continued this tradition early in the new millennium, bringing to “The President’s Own” podium renowned film composer John Williams, a recipient of multiple Academy Awards, and Osmo Vänskä, Minnesota Orchestra music director and one of today’s most respected conductors.In 1998, during the Marine Band’s bicentennial year, Foley conducted “The President’s Own” for inaugural ceremonies of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in Cincinnati. The Marine Band was the first musical institution to be selected for the Hall of Fame.In July 2001, Colonel Foley led “The President’s Own” in Switzerland for the 10th International Conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. The trip included a gala performance at the Luzern Culture and Convention Center in Luzern, Switzerland. In a testament to Foley’s dedication to the creation of new music for the wind band, the concert featured the international première of David Rakowski’s Ten of a Kind, a work commissioned by “The President’s Own” that later was selected as a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in Music.Toward the end of his career, Foley was successful in expanding the Marine Band’s total organization from 143 to 154 enlisted members. The 11 new positions were filled Oct. 1, 2004.Foley retired July 17, 2004, in a gala change of command concert and ceremony at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, hosted by Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General William L. “Spider” Nyland. Col Foley’s retirement received national attention, appearing on CNN, in The Washington Post and the Associated Press, and more.
Colonel (retired) Michael Colburn - Biographical Information
Colonel Michael J. Colburn was the 27th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. During his more than twenty years with “The President’s Own,” Col Colburn served as principal euphonium, Assistant Director, and from July 2004-14, the Director who led the Marine Band in its third century.As Director of “The President’s Own,” Col Colburn was music adviser to the White House. He regularly conducted the Marine Band at the Executive Mansion and at all Presidential Inaugurations. He also served as music director of Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Gridiron Club, a position held by every Marine Band Director since John Philip Sousa, and is a member of the Alfalfa Club and the American Bandmaster’s Association.After joining “The President’s Own” in May 1987 as a euphonium player, Col Colburn regularly performed at the White House, in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, and throughout the country during the band’s annual concert tour. He quickly distinguished himself as a featured soloist, and in 1990 was appointed principal euphonium. In addition to his euphonium duties, Col Colburn was active as a conductor for “The President’s Own” chamber music series. In 1996, he was appointed Assistant Director and commissioned a first lieutenant. He accepted the position of Senior Assistant Director and Executive Officer in 2001, and in 2002 was promoted to the rank of major. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel one day before he assumed leadership of “The President’s Own” on July 17, 2004. He was promoted to colonel on July 3, 2007 by President George W. Bush in an Oval Office ceremony and awarded the Legion of Merit on July 11, 2008, the Marine Band’s 210th birthday, by Marine Corps Commandant, General James T. Conway.As Director, Col Colburn attracted prominent guest conductors to the podium of “The President’s Own,” including Leonard Slatkin, José Serebrier, and renowned film composer John Williams. Col Colburn was deeply committed to seeking new works for the Marine Band, and was directly involved in commissions from composers David Rakowski (Ten of a Kind, Sibling Revelry, Cantina), David Chaitkin (Celebration), Melinda Wagner (Scamp), and Jennifer Higdon (Percussion Concerto), and Michael Gandolfi. Col Colburn worked to expand the Marine Band’s educational outreach efforts by increasing master classes at schools throughout the nation during the band’s annual concert tour, and by initiating Music in the High Schools, a program that sends musicians from “The President’s Own” to perform in Washington, D.C., area high schoolsCol Colburn is a native of St. Albans, Vt., where he graduated from Bellows Free Academy in 1982. Following high school he attended the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York in Potsdam for two years. He continued his education at Arizona State University in Tempe, where he studied euphonium with Daniel Perantoni and earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance in 1986. In 1991, Col Colburn earned a master’s degree in conducting from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he studied with Anthony Maiello.
Colonel Jason Fettig - Biographical Information
Colonel Jason K. Fettig is the 28th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He joined in 1997 as a clarinetist and soon became a frequently featured soloist with both the band and the Marine Chamber Orchestra. After serving four years in the organization, he was selected as an Assistant Director, and he conducted his first concert with the Marine Band Aug. 1, 2001. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in July 2002, promoted to captain in August 2003, and became the band’s Executive Officer the following year. He was promoted to major in August 2007 and to lieutenant colonel in July 2014, one week before assuming leadership of “The President’s Own.” He was promoted to his present rank in August 2017 in the Roosevelt Room by President Donald J. Trump. He is the third Director of “The President’s Own” to be promoted to colonel in a White House ceremony. As Director, Col. Fettig is the music adviser to the White House and regularly conducts the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the Executive Mansion and at all Presidential Inaugurations. He also serves as music director of Washington, D.C.’s historic Gridiron Club, a position held by every Marine Band Director since John Philip Sousa. In his first years as Director, Col. Fettig has led the band for numerous major national events both at the White House and throughout the country. He conducted national broadcast performances for the 200th Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, a special Veterans Day performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, and an appearance on the David Letterman Show at the invitation of Michelle Obama in New York. He leads frequent concerts throughout the Washington, D.C., area and across the country during the band’s annual national tour. Live performances by the Marine Band under his direction are often heard on National Public Radio. Col. Fettig is a fervent advocate for both traditional and contemporary American music and remains dedicated to the ongoing development of music for wind band. In recent years, he has conducted world premières of substantial new works by James Stephenson, Jacob Bancks, David Rakowski, Adam Schoenberg, David Conte, and Narong Prangcharoen. Throughout his career with the Marine Band, Col. Fettig has been deeply committed to music education and has taken an active role in the evolution and expansion of the many educational initiatives of “The President’s Own.” In addition to helping refine the Music in the Schools and Music in the High Schools programs, he has made it a priority to maintain a significant presence in schools throughout the nation during the band’s national concert tours. He also began an interactive and theatrical Young People’s Concert series in 2006 and authored, hosted, and conducted this popular annual event until 2015. In 2014, shortly after assuming command of the Marine Band, Col. Fettig launched an ambitious project to re-record all of the marches of John Philip Sousa and provide free performance and educational materials online to schools throughout the world. Col. Fettig is a 1993 graduate of Manchester Central High School in New Hampshire and holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) in both clarinet performance (1997) and music education with an emphasis in conducting (1998). In 2005, he earned a master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where he served as assistant conductor for two productions of the Maryland Opera Studio. He studied clarinet with Michael Sussman and David Martins, and his principal conducting teachers were Malcolm W. Rowell and James Ross. Additionally, Col. Fettig has participated in workshops with several renowned conductors including Osmo Vänskä and Otto Werner Mueller. Col. Fettig has represented the Marine Band on numerous occasions as a soloist, adjudicator, and clinician, and regularly conducts both concert bands and orchestras for all-state and honor festivals. In 2014, he was elected as a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
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