Steve Vasilakes, the White House's Peanut Man
Nicholas Stefanos “Steve” Vasilakes emigrated from Ligerea, Greece, to the United States in 1910 and soon thereafter set up his hot pean...
The United States Marine Band: Musicians
How Long? 1 minute
Gallery
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Candidates perform behind a screen for an audition committee, interview with key personnel, and undergo a White House security check. Once selected and enlisted, they are assigned exclusively to the Marine Band.
United States Marine Band -
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The Marine Band with Director W.H. Santelmann at the White House, 1921. A review of the band's membership shows representation of heritage and nationality from numerous regions worldwide.
United States Marine Band -
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The United State Marine Band, "The President's Own," rehearses for the 55th Presidential Inauguration under the direction of U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael J. Colburn at the Marine Barracks Annex at Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2005.
National Archives and Records Administration -
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One of the 21 female members of The President's Own waits to play her part of the musical composition at the U.S. Capitol on Inauguration Day, January 20, 1981.
National Archives and Records Administration
Since 1798, the Marine Band's primary mission has been to provide music for the President of the United States. Whether performing for South Lawn arrival ceremonies, state dinners, receptions, or accompanying famous entertainers, the musicians appear at the White House nearly 200 times annually. These performances range from a solo pianist or harpist to the full concert band. The band can form a number of performing ensembles, including the concert and marching bands, chamber orchestras, string ensembles, and dance and dixieland bands. While performing a diverse repertoire, music of American composers traditionally has been a central theme of the band's programming. Today's Marine Band musicians are graduates of our nation's most prestigious music schools and are selected at highly competitive auditions and often hold advanced degrees in music.
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