President Bush Promotes Marine Band Director

President Bush Promotes Marine Band Director

WASHINGTON, July 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The director of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Michael J. Colburn, was promoted to the rank of colonel today by President George W. Bush in an Oval Office ceremony. Col. Colburn is only the second director in the Marine Band's 208- year history to be promoted by the commander in chief.

Col. Colburn will return to the White House on Wednesday, July 4, to conduct the Marine Band on the South Lawn during the fireworks display on the National Mall. The Marine Band first performed at the White House on the 4th of July during Andrew Jackson's presidency.

As director of "The President's Own," Col. Colburn is music advisor to the White House. He 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's prestigious Gridiron Club, a position held by every Marine Band director since John Philip Sousa.

After joining "The President's Own" in May 1987 as a euphonium player, Col. Colburn 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.

The Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. President since John Adams. Given the title "The President's Own" by Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band's primary mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Source: "The President's Own" United States Marine Band

CONTACT: Public Affairs Office, +1-202-433-5809,
m_mbw_band_pao@nmci.usmc.mil

Web site:

http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographs Available

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