"The President's Own" in Colby!

For the first time in 10 years, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band returns to Colby, Kansas as part of the band’s Coast to Coast tour, performing a free 7:30 p.m. concert on Wednesday, October 16th at the Colby Event Center.

For full details, please visit www.marineband.marines.mil/Tour. 

Free tickets are available starting September 16th. Seating is general admission and ticket holders must be seated by 6:45 p.m.; remaining seats will be released to the standby line at that time.

The web site for free tickets is https://marineband.ticketleap.com/Colby2024

“We are incredibly excited to continue the tradition of our national concert tour.” Marine Band Director Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin said. “Musicians of the band are more eager than ever to share their musical talents with audiences live, and in-person on this Coast to Coast tour.”

Nowlin has programmed musical selections in the style of the band’s 17th Director John Philip Sousa, who initiated the concert tour tradition in 1891. Concertgoers can expect a mix of works including traditional band repertoire, Sousa marches, contemporary compositions, vocal and instrumental solos and a patriotic salute to the Armed Forces. 

“We have tremendously appreciative patrons who come to Marine Band concerts for all types of different experiences, so our programs are designed to include a great variety of music that mirrors the wonderful diversity in our national musical heritage.” Nowlin said.

Since Sousa was first granted permission to tour the country by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892, “The President’s Own” United Sates Marine Band has delivered a White House experience from Washington, D.C. to the far-reaching corners of our nation, and these special concerts have been shared by generations of Americans. During the 30-day Coast to Coast tour, the Marine Band will perform 28 concerts in the following states: Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.

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 s “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.