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In His Own Words Musician First Class Marcus Flores, U.S. Naval Academy Band
SBO Staff | April 8, 2024A native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Musician First Class Marcus Flores auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2020. Following Navy recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he reported to the Naval Academy Band as a trumpet instrumentalist with the brass quintet, brass ensemble, marching band, […] Read More... -
In Her Own Words: Musician First Class Ally Albrecht
SBO Staff | March 30, 2024Musician First Class Ally Albrecht joined the Navy Band in 2021 as a trumpet instrumentalist in the Commodores jazz ensemble. She earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas in 2014 and a Master of Music in jazz arts from the Manhattan School of Music in 2017. Albrecht played jazz […] Read More... -
From Marine Band Concerto Competition Winner to Audition Winner
SBO Staff | February 19, 2024Horn player Staff Sgt. Shawn Zheng, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is one of the newest members of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band – he just joined the ensemble in August 2023. He’s also a former winner (2017) of the Marine Band’s annual Concerto Competition for High School Musicians – the first of which to […] Read More... -
You Got the Job! Staff Sergeant Kate Walsh
Staff Sergeant Kate Walsh | January 8, 2024You got the job!” he shouted at me through the phone. The voice on the other end was a friend from long ago, currently technical support group leader at The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. As I sat at Buffalo Wild Wings, warm tears of relief filled my eyes. I was […] Read More... -
You have a face for flute.” – Technical Sergeant Cara Dailey
SBO Staff | December 11, 2023Technical Sergeant Cara Dailey never expected an auspicious assessment by her elementary school music teacher would cultivate her love for music as well as share it with audiences and students as far and wide as possible. Her musical journey took her from Texas to the Midwest and back to make and teach music and raise […] Read More... -
Specialist William Esterling: Maestro on a Mission
SBO Staff | November 1, 2023In the world of music, there are individuals whose talents extend far beyond the stage into the realms of service and devotion to their country. Army Specialist (SPC) William F. Esterling III stands as a shining example of such figures. His journey, stretching from Delaware’s Cab Calloway School of the Arts to the Delaware National […] Read More... -
My Story – Senior Airman Guy James
Senior Airman Guy James | October 15, 2023I don’t come from a musical family, but I believe fate will have its way no matter what we’re born into. My earliest memories of connecting with music go back to my childhood climbing up on a relative’s piano bench and being mesmerized by the sound when I touched the piano keys. It wasn’t until I […] Read More... -
Two Sopranos – One Mission
Thomas Palmatier | September 10, 2023SBO+: This month marks a slight departure from our usual approach in “America’s Musicians.” Usually, the military musician tells their story. Here, SBO+ editor-in-chief Tom Palmatier tells the stories of master sergeant Teresa Alzadon and sergeant first class Rachel Farber. Why? Because he hired them! Auditions for any position in a military premier band (the […] Read More... -
From Salsa to Service: Musician 2nd Class Cesar Pimental Ortiz
SBO Staff | August 20, 2023Music has the power to transcend borders and reach people from all cultures. This was the case for Musician 2nd Class Cesar Pimentel Ortiz who grew up listening to salsa and other Latin music in Puerto Rico. This soundtrack became the inspiration for his pursuit of musical studies in Puerto Rico’s distinguished conservatory. A path […] Read More... -
Coast Guard Musician’s Work Transcends Boundaries
CDR Adam Williamson, CDR Krystyn Pecora | July 16, 2023Traveling more than 7,000 miles away from New London, Ct. to Chennai, India, Musician First Class (MU1) Meera Gudipati has learned first-hand how music can be a universal language through her continued work with the South Asian Symphony Foundation. Gudipati was recently invited by the former Indian ambassador to the United States and Indian Foreign […] Read More... -
From Mean Green to Army Green: My Journey as a Musician
Staff Sergeant Trevor Duell | June 12, 2023“Are you sure about this?” my mother asked with a slight twinge of worry. “We support your decision and are behind you all the way,” my dad quickly added. I remember the conversation as though it were yesterday. I was completing my doctoral dissertation at the University of North Texas and planning my next move. […] Read More... -
Staff Sergeant Brooke Bart – Marine Corps Music Program
Staff Sergeant Brooke Bart | May 11, 2023My experience as a musician in the Marine Corps has offered me the opportunity to do the most incredible things, explore the most incredible places, and perform with the most incredible people. I have seen and done things that my 10-year-old self would be amazed by. The path that got me to where I am […] Read More...
