Lt. Col. Jason Fettig

beyond ArtLess

Talk about how to wrap up a season; this week, Lt. Col. Jason Fettig, 28th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band drops in for a chat. What did we discuss? Growing up in a "fish bowl" in New Hampshire, I early teachers and mentors, auditioning for the Marine Band on a whim, the American Wind Symphony with Bob Boudreau, and the "barge band," finding lightning in a bottle, an open audition for an assistant director, nine years as the director of a 225-year-old institution, the real challenge beyond the programming and conducting, being the representative for a full honors funeral, performances at gold star events at the White House, the state funeral of President, George H.W. Bush performance, inaugurations, and the role music plays in all of it. Behind the scenes at an inauguration and Lady Gaga wants to be "part of the band," Marine Band educational outreach, "Go Bears" on the photo, a return to MidWest, the best advice he's received, lonely hot tub, playing from the roof of the White House, creating ensembles to perform music, authentically from various cultures and communities across the globe, a look back on his career thus far including stories about re-recording all 130 Sousa Marches (it took seven years) AND Col Fettig shares some of his favorite Sousa marches. So yeah, a few things!

Thanks for joining us each week. We will see you for Season 2 coming out in the Fall.

State Funeral Video of President George H.W, Bush

Lt. Col. Jason Fettig biography

Signed Photo referenced in the podcast

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