As a part of their Northeast Tour, The President’s Own United States Marine Band is returning to Springfield Symphony Hall.

The President’s Own U. S. Marine Band’s northeast tour will include a free performance in Springfield Symphony Hall. The Sunday, October 16th concert will be held at 3pm and will feature the world-class talents performing a diverse mix of programs, from traditional band repertoire and marches to instrumental solos.

Under the direction of Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the band will be performing concerts in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont in October.

The last time they performed in Springfield Symphony Hall was in 2017 to a packed house.

Tickets for the performance by The President’s Own U. S. Marine Band are free. They are available at Pride Convenience Stores, Springfield’s Visitor Center, and One Financial Plaza lobby security desk.

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 to the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

John Philip Sousa was the band’s 17th director, initiated the concert tour tradition in 1891, performed in Springfield on March 26, 1906.

In 1888, he wrote “Semper Fidelis.” Dedicated to “the officers and men of the Marine Corps,” it is traditionally known as the “official” march of the Marine Corps.

In his 12 years as Leader of the Marine Band, he served under five Presidents, and the experience he gained with the Marine Band would be applied to his civilian band for the next 39 years. With his own band, Sousa’s fame and reputation would grow to even greater heights.