SOM Alumnus Leads United States Marine Band

The University of Maryland School of Music is proud to announce that alumnus Lieutenant Colonel Jason K. Fettig will be appointed the 28th director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. A change of command ceremony was held July 12 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Center in Alexandria, Va.

“It is an incredible privilege to be afforded the rare opportunity to stand in the shoes of the great musicians who have led this special and historic organization over the past 216 years,” said Fettig. “I am excited to continue to diversify and expand the presence of Marine Band in the artistic and educational communities, both at home and abroad.”

As an Assistant Director of “The President’s Own,” Lt. Col. Fettig focused on expanding the Marine Band’s educational initiatives by leading joint clinics with Marine Band musicians and band and orchestra students in D.C. area public schools. Lt. Col. Fettig also created an interactive Young People’s Concert series in 2006 and has conceived and conducted this popular annual event since its inception.

As Director of “The President’s Own,” America’s oldest continuously active professional music organization, Lt. Col. Fettig will serve as the music adviser to the White House and will regularly conduct the Marine Band at the Executive Mansion and Presidential Inaugurations.

“It is an incredible privilege to be afforded the rare opportunity to stand in the shoes of the great musicians who have led this special and historic organization over the past 216 years,” said Fettig. “I am excited to continue to diversify and expand the presence of Marine Band in the artistic and educational communities, both at home and abroad.”

Lt. Col. Fettig received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in clarinet performance and music education with an emphasis in conducting. In 2005, he earned a master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Maryland, where he studied under James Ross and served as assistant conductor for two productions of the Maryland Opera Studio.