President’s Own Marine Band Brass Quintet Performs at BHS for Students
By J.D. O’Gara
On Monday, October 17th, The President’s Marine Band Brass Quintet performed at Bellingham High School for music students from Bellingham High, Bellingham Memorial School, Franklin High, Holliston Middle School, Holliston High school, Blackstone Millville Regional High School, and North Attleboro High school. The President’s Own Marine Band is the premier military music ensemble, and they are currently on their Northeast Tour, something they do every five years.
Bellingham Music Teacher Marie Forte, aware of the band’s tour, requested an educational concert through the band’s website and reached out their education coordinator.
“The President’s Own Marine Band is the elite musical organization of all the armed forces and ranks among the top musical ensembles in the USA and world. We wanted to provide the opportunity for our musicians to see and hear world class musicians right here in their hometown,” said Forte. Many of students also planned to attend one of the three concerts the same week in the area- Rhode Island College, Providence, Mechanics Hall in Worcester, or Symphony Hall in Boston.
Franklin music teacher and band director Leighanne Rudsit was pleased to bring her students to Bellingham for the concert. “It’s just such an amazing opportunity for the kids to hear the elite players, and the fact the concert is free is a treasure,” she said.
Franklin High School trombone player Elsa Robinson described the show as “really good. I really like the experience of seeing people who are the best on their instruments, because I’m also a brass player.” Her fellow student, alto sax player Casey Hasselbaum, added, “It was inspirational and a great honor to see them and hear about their experiences.”
For more information about The President’s Own United States Marine Band, visit
“At Bellingham High School, our student musicians are in the middle of a chamber music curriculum unit, so this performance directly ties to our curriculum with a small chamber ensemble (quintet) performance, added Forte. “By the way, the public is invited to our BHS Prism Concert which is a concert of small chamber ensembles on Wednesday, November 9th at 7 p.m. in the BHS Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.”
Franklin High also has a small chamber ensemble, with a concert coming up. The FHS Tri-M Music Honor Society will perform a chamber concert on November 15th, at Franklin High School (snow date 11/17).
